ATLANTA (AP) — ATLANTA (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks are headed to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1974. They didn’t even need two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to lock up their spot. Khris Middleton scored 32 points, including a run of 16 straight points in a decisive third quarter for a 118-107 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference final. Milwaukee won the series 4-2, advancing to face the Suns in the NBA Finals. Trae Young returned to the Hawks' lineup after missing two games with a foot injury. But it wasn't enough to extend Atlanta's surprising playoff run.
![Trae Young, Khris Middleton](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2348ff1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2961x1666+0+154/resize/1280x720!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F81%2F68%2F73f406284f5684e4c5312ce4b370%2Fap21185042123748.jpg)
John Bazemore/AP
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) drives past Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) during the first half of Game 6 in the NBA basketball playoffs Eastern Conference finals Saturday, July 3, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
![Trae Young, Khris Middleton](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2348ff1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2961x1666+0+154/resize/1280x720!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F81%2F68%2F73f406284f5684e4c5312ce4b370%2Fap21185042123748.jpg)
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