Knicks 140, Bucks 106: Scenes from Brunson mauling Milwaukee in a matinee

Jalen drops 44 points, KAT and Hart add double-doubles, and the Knicks mostly steamroll Giannis and Milwaukee.

After winning nine in a row, the New York Knicks (26-14) dropped four of their last five games, including a thorough beatdown by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday. Today, they hosted the Milwaukee Bucks (20-17), winners of three straight, in a matinee at Madison Square Garden. Afternoon games can be ugly affairs, but the Knicks needed to skin and quarter the Deer to calm a growing panic among the fanbase. Did they? You betcha. 140-106.

Benefitting from early makes and Jalen Brunson giving Milwaukee’s Andre Jackson, Jr. a cooking class, the home team began with auspicious energy. When they faltered, however, Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo led the visitors on an 11-2 run, and the lead flip-flopped from there.

New York netted four three-pointers on Friday against the Thunder; they matched that in today’s first quarter. Thanks to a career-high and franchise-record 23 first-quarter points from Brunson, the Knicks won the frame, 36-33. Jalen provided most of the highlights, but OG Anunoby’s foul trouble enabled Precious Achiuwa time to demonstrate these sweet dance steps:

After scoring five points in Q1, Karl-Anthony Towns took his turn in the limelight with 13 points in Q2. He would finish the day with a 30-point, 18-board double-double. With KAT scoring at will in the paint and Cameron Payne contributing 13 first-half points, the Knicks stretched their lead to 15 points. Their defense, a sharper blade than Friday’s tool, limited the Bucks to 4-of-16 from downtown in the half and secured a 75-62 score at intermission.

Payne finished with 18 points, making 4-of-7 from deep. Miles McBride scored six. Landry Shamet played no meaningful minutes.

Another improvement from Friday was New York’s crisp and generous passing. They logged 18 assists against OKC, their second-lowest total of the season; today they dished 14 dimes in the first half alone and finished with 29.

After the break, New York dropped 10 unanswered points and soon jumped ahead by 27. Fortune smiled on the Knicks until Jalen Brunson injured his right shoulder on a drive and solemnly retreated directly to the locker room. The captain’s absence opened a window for the Wisconsinites, who would trim the differential to 16. When Brunson reemerged and walked straight to the scorer’s table, the Garden crowd cheered with relief. His final statline: 44 points, six assists, five rebounds, a steal, and 5-of-10 from deep.

Another quiet night from Mikal Bridges: six points and assists and two blocks on 2-of-5 FG in 37 minutes. And another not-quiet night from Josh Hart, with an 11-11 double-double, four assists, and a steal in his 35.

Up Next

The Professor is baking a proper recap for y’all. The upstart Detroit Pistons pay a visit to the Garden tomorrow. Rest up, Knickerbockers

Box Score