Brunson scores 43 points, leads Knicks past Bucks

In a crucial matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, the New York Knicks delivered a stunning second-half rally to secure a critical 122-109 victory. Led by a stellar performance from Jalen Brunson, who poured in a remarkable 43 points while dishing out 8 assists and grabbing 6 rebounds, the Knicks delivered when it mattered most.

Joining Brunson in the spotlight was Donte DiVincenzo, who contributed 26 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein, who added 18 points and 10 rebounds to the Knicks’ winning effort. Despite trailing 61-50 at halftime, the Knicks staged a remarkable comeback, outscoring the Bucks 39-24 in the third quarter and 33-24 in the final act.

“I don’t really care if I kind of go out there with bruises, it’s whatever the team needs. At that moment that was a big possession. Any ball at the end of the clock I can get I’ll go get it.”

– Isaiah Hartenstein

Brunson’s stellar showing not only propelled the Knicks to victory but also etched his name in franchise history, as he notched his 9th 40-point game of the season, placing him third behind Knicks legends Bernard King and Patrick Ewing. His standout performance also overshadowed that of his All-NBA rival, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The turning point came early in the second half when the Knicks, trailing 56-66, embarked on a scintillating 14-1 run to seize control of the game. With a barrage of three-pointers from DiVincenzo and Brunson, complemented by mid-range jumpers and dunks from Hartenstein, the Knicks surged ahead and never looked back.

Despite the Bucks’ attempts to stay within striking distance, the Knicks maintained their composure and pulled away in the fourth quarter, embarking on a decisive 10-0 run to seal the victory. Solid contributions from the bench, including Bojan Bogdanovic‘s 15 points and Miles McBride‘s clutch baskets, further bolstered the Knicks’ dominant performance.

Despite Antetokounmpo’s impressive 28-point, 15-rebound, and 8-assist outing for the Bucks, along with strong performances from Bobby Portis – 24 points and Damian Lillard – 23 points, it was the Knicks who emerged victorious.

With just four games left in the regular season, the Knicks have reclaimed the coveted 4th spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They find themselves tied with the Orlando Magic, who hold the tiebreaker advantage, as both teams trail the Milwaukee Bucks by just one game. While the Knicks have all but secured the 6th place, they’re eyeing a potential climb to the 2nd spot with their recent resurgence.