The New York Knicks, facing a sold-out home crowd and a national television audience, broke their losing streak against the Milwaukee Bucks with a 129-122 victory during the NBA’s Christmas Day slate.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with a 38-point performance, ending Milwaukee’s seven-game winning streak and their run of nine consecutive wins against New York.
The Bucks had dominated in their recent meetings, including a decisive 130-111 win in the first game of this two-part series. However, Brunson’s standout play this season continued, and he received ample support from his teammates, including Julius Randle with 24 points and nine rebounds, RJ Barrett with 21 points, and Immanuel Quickley contributing 20 points off the bench.
“They’re a good team. We feel like we’re a good team as well, so just kind of taking that challenge, accepting that challenge that we hadn’t got them yet,” Quickley said. “It had been a while, so this was a good one to get.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard scored 32 points for the Bucks, and Khris Middleton added 24, but it wasn’t enough to maintain their momentum. The Bucks, averaging 132.4 points in December, struggled to find their usual energy and scoring efficiency during their extended stay in New York.
“We knew coming in everything that we were lined up for, and it is what it is,” Lillard said. “We got the first one, we came in for this one, they got off to a good start, they played a great game, and we just got outplayed.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Milwaukee’s performance was uncharacteristic, trailing significantly in the first half and only slightly closing the gap in the game’s final minutes. Bucks coach Adrian Griffin acknowledged the Knicks’ superior competitiveness and the Bucks’ failure to capitalize on their scoring opportunities.
“I thought they out-competed us today for the most part,” Griffin said. “I thought offensively we got some good looks, but we just couldn’t knock them down. And when you’re on the road, you get clean looks, you’ve got to knock them down.”
Brunson’s efficiency was a highlight, going 15-28 from the field, building on his impressive scoring record against the Bucks this season. The Knicks also saw significant contributions from Isaiah Hartenstein and Josh Hart off the bench.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Despite Antetokounmpo’s double-double performance, the Bucks fell short in their sixth consecutive Christmas appearance. The Knicks, led by coach Tom Thibodeau, showcased renewed energy and control from the outset, leading by nine points after the first quarter and maintaining their lead throughout the game.
“I just thought the energy level was back to where it needed to be,” Thibodeau said.
Both teams are set for their next matchups on Wednesday, with the Bucks visiting the Brooklyn Nets and the Knicks facing the Oklahoma City Thunder.
