The Milwaukee Bucks lose to the New York Knicks in their Christmas Day showdown
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard came up with high-scoring performances. Still, the Milwaukee Bucks faltered in their sixth-straight Christmas Day appearance when they bowed down to the New York Knicks, 122-129, on Monday at the Madison Square Garden.
The defeat ended Milwaukee’s season-high seven-game winning streak, losing to New York for the first time in their last ten meetings.
30-point night by Giannis, Dame not enough
The Bucks came into the contest 3-0 against the Knicks this season. The last win was the opener of their two-game series on Saturday night, also at MSG, 130-111.
The Knicks ended their winless spell against the Bucks despite Antetokounmpo and Lillard scoring 32 points each.
Giannis also had 13 rebounds, six assists, and two blocks. Khris Middleton added 24 points for Milwaukee, which fell to 1-1 in their current four-game road trip.
The Bucks dropped to 9-2 this month. They remained in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 22-8 card.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 38 points, while Julius Randle finished with 24 points and nine boards. RJ Barrett pitched in 21 points, while Immanuel Quickley had 20 as the Knicks improved to 17-12.
The fightback came a little too late
New York was in control for most of the game, building their biggest lead at 119-103 with only 4:49 left. Milwaukee made the game a bit interesting when it moved within 118-124 with 1:31 left.
Brunson made it an eight-point game, and Milwaukee last threatened at 120-126 with only 35.5 seconds left. Randle practically sealed the outcome of the contest by knocking down two free throws that gave the Knicks a 128-120 lead with only 18.3 seconds left.