ATLANTA Hawks guard Lou Williams said he found out one hour before tipoff that he would be starting a playoff game for the first time in his 16-year NBA career.
The 34-year-old Williams learned of the assignment at the same time he was told that star teammate Trae Young would sit out Game 4 with a foot injury.
But Williams was more than up to the task and contributed 21 points and eight assists as Atlanta posted a 110-88 victory over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night (Wednesday in Manila) to even the Eastern Conference finals at two games apiece.
Williams’ big effort fueled the fifth-seeded Hawks on a night in which the third-seeded Bucks lost their own star.
Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo hyperextended his left knee in the third quarter and didn’t return. His status for Thursday’s (Friday in Manila) Game 5 in Milwaukee is unclear.
“We’ll see how he is tomorrow,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said afterward. “We’ll take everything as it comes. We’ll evaluate it. We’ve got a heck of a team, a heck of a roster.”
Young sustained a bone bruise in his right foot during Game 3 on Sunday night (Monday in Manila) when he inadvertently stepped on an official’s foot.
Hawks coach Nate McMillan said Young will be a game-time decision for Game 5.
As Young cheered from the bench, Williams ran the team expertly by committing just one turnover in 35 minutes. He made 7 of 9 field-goal attempts.
“I was just staying poised,” said Williams, a three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year recipient. “I just had to refocus my energy and put on a different hat and get ready for the game.
“It was just one of those nights. Everybody played with confidence, everybody played at a high level. So going back to Milwaukee tomorrow, we’re going to bottle it up and take it with us.”
