Knicks beat the Bucks but lose Robinson to fracture

Playing without Julius Randle and Reggie Bullock the Knicks had a tough time in Milwaukee against a Bucks team that was missing four starters. But with Derrick Rose back in the game, New York managed to pull a 102-96 win.

Led by RJ Barrett and Alec Burks, each with 21 points, the New York Knicks almost blew an 11 point lead they built early in the fourth quarter as the Bucks, who were missing Giannis Antetokounmpo among others, tied the game at 96 with 1:35 on the clock. But Burks’ three-pointer lifted the Knicks 99-96 and as Milwaukee missed their next couple of long distance shots the game was in the books.

Randle missed his first game of the season to a contused right thigh but the bad news for the Knicks struck early in the first quarter when Mitchell Robinson suffered another fracture, this time on his right foot.

Robinson missed 15 games previously to a hand fracture back in January and had recently returned to action, this being his fourth game since being cleared to play. Now he will be re-evaluated in New York and coach Tom Thibodeau will have to relay further on veteran Taj Gibson and Nerlens Noel to fill in for Mitch.

The news of the fracture struck Derrick Rose who only learned about it during the post game interview. Visibly hurt, he wasn’t able to to express what he felt.

“Oh man. I’m lost for words right now. Just stay with him, pray for him and … man.”

– Derrick Rose

Barrett was also touched by the news.

“He worked so hard to get back, to see him go down again, man, it hurts us, it hurts the team. But we’re gonna be with him every step of the way until he gets back.”

– RJ Barrett

Immanuel Quickley and D Rose scored 13 points each off the bench and no Knick that got to play didn’t leave the stat sheet empty. Burks’ 10 rebounds put him in double-double while Noel grabbed a game high 11 boards to go with his 6 points.

The Bucks were led by Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s 23 points and 10 rebounds, and had two other players in double-double: Jordan Nwora had 21 and 10 and Brook Lopez had 12 and 10.

Up-next: The Knicks (24-22) will host the Heat (22-24) on Monday from 7:30pm.