The New York Knicks ended a two-game skid with a commanding 116-94 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, powered by Karl-Anthony Towns’ 32-point performance. Towns also contributed 11 rebounds and five assists, leading New York to even its season record at 4-4.
The Knicks’ victory was a wire-to-wire display, with the team never relinquishing the lead. They gained a significant advantage in the first half, with Towns scoring 27 points before halftime, as New York built a comfortable 66-47 lead. Throughout the game, six Knicks players scored in double figures.
Jalen Brunson played a key supporting role, adding 15 points and nine assists, while Josh Hart tallied 11 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. New York’s starters controlled the pace, setting up the team’s third victory this season with a margin of at least 20 points.
Milwaukee, coming off a 23-point win against Utah, struggled to maintain their momentum on Friday. Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 24 points and 12 rebounds, but the Bucks couldn’t find an answer to the Knicks’ aggressive offense.
Damian Lillard contributed 19 points, yet Milwaukee (2-7) has now lost seven of its last eight games, a troubling start for a team with aspirations in the Eastern Conference.
New York extended its lead in the fourth quarter, starting with a 22-11 run. Miles McBride scored 14 points, and rookie Tyler Kolek chipped in eight, allowing the Knicks to lead by as many as 30 points. This burst effectively sealed Milwaukee’s fate and secured New York’s dominant win.
Milwaukee’s starters were largely stymied by New York’s efforts. Taurean Prince managed only three points, and Brook Lopez added just seven. The Bucks’ bench provided some relief, with AJ Green scoring nine points and Tyler Smith adding 10. However, Milwaukee’s 15 turnovers compounded their issues and contributed to their sixth road loss of the season.
This game marked the continuation of the Bucks’ difficult start, giving them a rare losing record not seen since the 2015-16 season. With their struggles on both ends of the floor, Milwaukee’s next challenge will be to correct course and find consistency.
Meanwhile, the Knicks capitalized on their deep roster, with notable performances from every position. OG Anunoby scored 14 points alongside three steals, while Mikal Bridges contributed 17 points, maintaining an aggressive pace on both ends of the court.
