NBA Christmas Day: Knicks defeat Bucks 129-122

Milwaukee Bucks vs New York Knicks Full Game Highlights | NBA Christmas 2023 | FreeDawkins

New York Knicks secured a 129-122 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on NBA Christmas Day.

PG Jalen Brunson’s 38-point performance led the Knicks to end Milwaukee’s seven-win streak and nine-win streak over New York. Power forward Julius Randle contributed 24 points and nine rebounds, Canadian forward RJ Barrett gave 21 points and sixth-man point guard Immanuel Quickley added 20 points off the bench.

This win was the Knicks’ first against the Bucks since November 5, 2021, with the Bucks dominating in recent matchups, notably winning 130-111 in the first game of this series.

“We played with extra energy, extra effort, obviously we made a lot more shots than we did last game. I did,” said Barrett.

PF Giannis Antetokounmpo and PG Damian Lillard notched 32 points each for the Bucks, supported by SF Khris Middleton’s 24, yet their combined effort fell short in sealing a consecutive victory. Adrian Griffin’s men only managed to tally 13 out of 42 three-pointers, with a 47.4 field goal percentage.

“We knew coming in everything that we were lined up for, and it is what it is,” Lillard said. “We got the first one, we came in for this one, they got off to a good start, they played a great game, and we just got outplayed.”

Milwaukee had an unusual performance, trailing by a significant margin in the first half and was down 62-51 after the second quarter.

“I thought they out-competed us today for the most part,” Griffin said. “I thought offensively we got some good looks, but we just couldn’t knock them down. And when you’re on the road, you get clean looks, you’ve got to knock them down.”

The Knicks, led by coach Tom Thibodeau, displayed dominance right from the start. They took a nine-point lead after the first quarter and held onto it for the entire game.

“I just thought the energy level was back to where it needed to be,” Thibodeau said.

Both teams are set for their next matchups on Wednesday, with the Bucks visiting the Brooklyn Nets and the Knicks facing the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Brunson displays efficient performance

Brunson’s efficiency was a highlight, going 15-28 from the field while also adding four rebounds and six assists.

After the game, Brunson commented on his performance, saying, “I just think today we needed to be a little more physical with everything we do.”

Brunson was drafted as the 33rd overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks and spent his first season there.

With the Knicks, Brunson recently achieved a career-high of 50 points on December 15, making 17 out of 23 shots, including a perfect nine for nine from three-point range against the Phoenix Suns. He also dished out nine assists, grabbed six rebounds and secured five steals. This achievement made him the ninth player to score 50 points while playing for the Knicks.