It’s Bucks-Suns in NBA Finals

Young returns but can’t lift Hawks. Bucks will play for title for first time since 1974.

Trae Young returns but can’t lift Atlanta, and Milwaukee advances without star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

ATLANTA — The Milwaukee Bucks are headed back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1974.

They didn’t even need two-time most valuable player Giannis Antetokounmpo to lock up their spot.

Khris Middleton scored 32 points, including a run of 16 straight points in a decisive third quarter that carried the Bucks to a 118-107 victory over the upstart Atlanta Hawks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals Saturday night.

Milwaukee won the series 4-2, advancing to face the Suns in the NBA Finals. Game 1 is Tuesday night in Phoenix.

“It’s sweet,“said Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer, who previously guided the Hawks. “These guys have put the work in all year. They deserve to go to the Finals. I couldn’t be more proud of them. I love coaching them.”

Trae Young returned to the Hawks lineup after missing two games with a bone bruise in his right foot, but the young star never got anything going. After both teams struggled to find the range in the first half, the Bucks suddenly couldn’t miss in the third quarter. Especially Middleton. Atlanta actually had a chance for its first lead of the game when Young’s behindthe-back pass gave Kevin Huerter an open look from three-point range.

The shot rimmed out, and Middleton quickly ripped off the next 13 points to suddenly push the Milwaukee lead to 60-45.

Young broke up the oneman onslaught with a driving basket, but Middleton responded with a threepointer that gave him 16 straight points.

Middleton finished the quarter with 23 points as Milwaukee headed to the final quarter with a commanding 91-72 lead.

Jrue Holiday added 27 points for the Bucks.