Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a game-high 37 points, eight rebounds and seven assists as the Milwaukee Bucks fought back from a 12-point halftime deficit to beat the New York Knicks Tuesday night. Ryan Rollins of the Bucks added a career high 25 points. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 36 points.
Perhaps the New York Knicks should have spent a little more energy trying to trade with the Milwaukee Bucks for center Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Reports surfaced before the season that the Knicks and the Bucks discussed a trade, but the negotiations did not go very far. The Knicks could have used the "Greek Freak" on their side Tuesday as opposed to having to defend him.
The former Most Valuable Player decimated the Knicks Tuesday night at the Fiserv Forum with 37 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
The Bucks defeated the Knicks 121-111 Tuesday night as they erased a 12-point Knicks lead at the halftime break. They also broke a five-game losing streak to the Knicks, who have had the Bucks number since Christmas Day 2023.
For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson scored 36 points and grabbed four rebounds and dished out three assists to go with two steals. Mikal Bridges added 24 points for the Knicks along with 11 rebounds and six assists. He played 39 minutes.
Brunson, however, appeared to hurt himself in the groin area midway through the fourth quarter. Brunson stayed in the game and tried to play through the injury, but as he was dribbling the ball near the bench area, he fell and doubled over in pain.
With Brunson on the bench, the Bucks tied the game at 103-all on a Antetokounmpo steal and dunk. They went on an 8-0 run to put the game away.
One telling statistic is that the Knicks won the offensive rebounding battle 17-4, but only scored 10 second-chance points. The Knicks shooting was erratic all night as they shot 42 percent from the field. The Bucks also blocked eight Knicks shots, led by Antetokounmpo who had two of them.
The Knicks got an uncharacteristic game from Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns finished with eight points on 2-of-12 shooting and committed three turnovers. He did manage to grab 12 rebounds.
The Bucks were not at full strength as they lost a key player in their latest game, a 118-113 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kevin Porter, Jr. missed the game with a sprained ankle. Kyle Kuzma suffered a sprained ankle, but was able to tape it up and play in the game. Cole Anthony also bounced back from an undisclosed illness.
The Knicks were still without Mitchell Robinson who has not played this season as he recovers from an injured left ankle.
New York will attempt to win one on the road again as they travel to the United Center in Chicago to play the Bulls on Friday.