NEW YORK — Jalen Brunson’s stellar 38-point performance led the New York Knicks to a significant 129-122 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, snapping Milwaukee’s seven-game winning streak and the Knicks’ nine-game losing streak against the Bucks. The victory marked a rebound from a 130-111 loss to Milwaukee on Saturday.
Brunson, who has consistently troubled the Bucks this season, was supported by Julius Randle with 24 points and nine rebounds, RJ Barrett with 21 points, and Immanuel Quickley contributing 20 points off the bench.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard each scored 32 points for the Bucks, who have been dominant in December but appeared to lack energy in this matchup. Khris Middleton added 24 points in the loss.
The Knicks managed to control the game against a Bucks team that had been averaging 132.4 points in December. Milwaukee struggled in the first half, trailing by as much as 16 points late in the game before a late surge made the score closer.Brunson’s efficient shooting, going 15 for 28 from the field, followed his previous high-scoring games against the Bucks this season. The Knicks also had valuable contributions from Isaiah Hartenstein, with 11 points and eight rebounds, and Josh Hart, who added 10 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
Antetokounmpo also recorded 13 rebounds and six assists, but the Bucks, in their sixth consecutive Christmas appearance, fell to a 3-3 record in such games.The game started with a highlight from Antetokounmpo, but Brunson quickly took over, scoring 15 points in the first quarter to give the Knicks a 36-27 lead. Lillard tried to reduce the Knicks’ 13-point lead in the second quarter, but his efforts were not enough as Middleton and Antetokounmpo struggled with their shooting.
The Bucks managed to cut the deficit in the third quarter, but the Knicks, boosted by Hart’s performance, extended their lead to 98-87 entering the final period.Looking ahead, the Bucks will continue their New York stay with a visit to Brooklyn on Wednesday, while the Knicks will travel to face Oklahoma City on the same day.
