Jalen Brunson dropped 43 points, leading the New York Knicks (46-32) to a dominant 122-109 victory over the struggling Milwaukee Bucks (47-31) on Sunday night, extending the Bucks’ losing streak to four games.
This remarkable scoring display marks Brunson’s ninth 40-point game of the season, solidifying his place in Knicks’ history as he now holds sole possession of third place on the team’s single-season list. Only Bernard King, with 13 such performances in 1984-85, surpasses Brunson’s scoring prowess in a single season for the Knicks.
The Bucks’ woes continue as they endure their longest losing streak of the season, dropping six of their last seven games. Despite the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who contributed 28 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists after missing their previous game due to a hamstring issue, the Bucks couldn’t contain Brunson.
Khris Middleton’s absence in the second half proved pivotal as the Bucks struggled to maintain their defensive intensity against a determined Knicks team.
Donte DiVincenzo provided a strong supporting role for the Knicks, contributing 26 points, while Isaiah Hartenstein added a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Josh Hart nearly notched a triple-double with seven points, nine rebounds, and nine assists.
Despite strong efforts from Bobby Portis and Damian Lillard, who scored 24 and 23 points respectively for the Bucks, the Knicks’ relentless energy proved too much to overcome.
Despite the loss, the Bucks stayed in second place in the Eastern Conference, but they hold just a one-game advantage over the Orlando Magic and Knicks.
