Knicks 116, Bucks 94: Scenes from KAT leading a Bucks beatdown

In a wire-to-wire win, Karl-Anthony Towns’ double-double leads a total team effort to maul Milwaukee.

After a four-game road trip that ended with a two-game skid, the New York Knicks (4-4) returned to Madison Square Garden to play the Milwaukee Bucks (2-7) tonight. The Bucks beat the Jazz by 23 points yesterday. Maybe they aren’t as bad as initially reported?

They are. Led by Karl-Anthony Towns’ 27 points and seven rebounds in the first half, the Knicks built a commanding 66-47 lead by intermission. Despite efforts from Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, Milwaukee struggled with turnovers, poor shooting, and loafing D, while New York capitalized on aggressive rebounding and strong defense. The teams scored 25 apiece in the third, and New York’s lead reached 30 in the fourth. Final score, 116-94.

Karl-Anthony Towns recorded his seventh-straight double-double (32 points, 11 boards, five assists). All Knicks starters, plus Miles McBride, scored in double-digits, and the team dished a season-high 35 assists. The Knicks 3-and-D specialists were light on the three—Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby shot a combined 4-of-19 from deep—but superb on the D. Jalen Brunson overcame cold shooting to record 15 points and nine dimes, Josh Hart did the usual Josh Hart stuff, and the Knicks got solid bench contributions. McBride (14 points) and Tyler Kolek (eight points, two assists, a steal, 3-of-5 FG) were cooking!

Giannis and Dame finished with 24 and 19 points, respectively. The only other Buck to break double-figures was Tyler Smith in garbage time. Yeesh.

First Half

Scoring 13 of the Knicks’ first-quarter points, Karl-Anthony Towns made his first three three-point attempts, while Josh Hart shot a flawless 3-for-3 from the floor. Less immaculate was Jalen Brunson, missing his first five shots. Despite the whiffs, Jalen had three early assists and a team-high +11. With the visitors coughing up five turnovers, New York’s lead swelled to 11. They finished the frame ahead, 32-25.

Jericho Sims subbed in for Towns midway through Q1. Sims played with encouraging aggressiveness, fighting for rebounds and jamming with authority. Love to see it.

The Knicks kept rolling with more KAT creativity. Besides scoring, Towns crashed the boards and quarterbacked a bomb to Miles McBride for a fast-break score. Meanwhile, Tyler Kolek came off the bench to hit another three-pointer and then scored acrobatically at the rim. Tack on three rebounds and an assist, and the rook is fast becoming a fan-favorite.

By halftime, KAT had 27 points and seven boards, helping New York take a 66-47 lead. Giannis Antetokounmpo, dealing with a right adductor strain, shared leadership duties with Damian Lillard. The duo combined for 27 of Milwaukee’s points. Both teams had shot terribly from deep, but grabbing more rebounds and steals—and eight Bucks’ turnovers—resulted in the Knicks attempting 14 more field goals than the Deer. Does Doc Rivers golf? He should have more time for it in the near future.

Second Half

With the half just underway, Karl banged knees with Taurean Prince and limped afterward. He didn’t come out and the injury didn’t stop him from breaking the 30-point mark. Meanwhile, Brunson fought through his shooting woes by attacking the rim and playmaking for his cohorts. Both teams scored 25 in the quarter, with the Knicks’ lead touching 22.

Here’s a winning strategy: pass until you find whoever Lillard is guarding. This time, Mikal is the beneficiary.

Milwaukee’s imaginary defense allowed New York to start the final frame with an 11-2 run that stirred Doc from his sleepy sideline shuffle. After his time out, the veteran coach shelved his starters and emptied the bench. Coach Tom Thibodeau gradually seeded in his reserves, too, with Tyler Kolek, Pacome Dadiet, and Matt Ryan, in his Knicks debut, finishing out the game with Deuce and Ariel Hukporti.

Ryan would miss his first shot, but then swished a triple. Welcome, Matt!

Up Next

Professor has your recap. The Knicks will visit the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.

Box Score