Brunson’s 36 point effort spoiled in ugly loss to Bucks

In a challenging faceoff against the Milwaukee Bucks, the New York Knicks experienced a tough 130-111 loss, marking their third defeat this season against the 2021 champions.

Jalen Brunson emerged as the bright spot for the Knicks, having an impressive performance with 36 points. Julius Randle contributed 26 points, showcasing his efficiency by going a perfect 10-of-10 from the free-throw line, while Isaiah Hartenstein added 12 points and secured an impressive 13 rebounds, including 7 offensive rebounds.

However, despite the individual efforts, it was a one-sided game with the Bucks asserting their dominance from the first quarter until the final buzzer. The Knicks struggled with their shooting throughout the game, going under 45% from the field and a mere 31% from beyond the arc.

RJ Barrett faced significant challenges, managing only 13 points and 7 rebounds, and endured a tough shooting night, going 1-of-10 from the field in the first three quarters. Although he managed to improve his shooting in the fourth quarter, it too late and too little to alter the course of the game.

Barrett’s recent struggles have been evident, scoring 14 points or less in the last three games and shooting under 50% from the field in the last four. The efforts of Immanuel Quickley, Josh Hart, and Quentin Grimes off the bench were also subpar, with a combined 4-of-17 from the field. The entire Knicks bench contributed just 13 points.

The Bucks capitalized on the Knicks’ defensive vulnerabilities, shooting an impressive 52.7% from the field, including 50% from the three-point line, making 16 threes. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 28 points and 7 assists, while former Knick, Bobby Portis made a significant impact off the bench with 23 points and 11 rebounds.

Despite the tough loss, the Knicks displayed accuracy from the free-throw line, going nearly perfect with a 20-of-21 record, with just Barrett missing one.

This marks the Knicks’ third consecutive loss against the Bucks this season. The teams will face each other once again on Christmas Day in Milwaukee, providing the Knicks with an opportunity to bounce back and avoid a season series sweep.