MILWAUKEE — The Knicks left Fiserv Forum feeling better with a win and a higher spot in the standings.
Riding on the energy of engines Jalen Brunson and Isaiah Hartenstein, the visiting team dominated in the second half to move into fourth place in the East, defeating the Bucks 122-109 on Sunday night.
Brunson dropped 43 points and edged out Giannis Antetokounmpo while building momentum toward an All-NBA candidate.
Brunson was a one-man tour de force, adding eight rebounds and six assists in 39 minutes.
This was his ninth 40-point game of the season, good for third in Knicks history.
In five games with the Bucks this season, the point guard averaged 37 points.
“But he only hit 35 in two straight games,” Donte DiVincenzo said. “He does the same for everyone.”
Brunson kept the Knicks afloat through a rough first half, and with offensive help from DiVincenzo (26 points), the Knicks won the final two quarters 72-48.
The big play came from Hartenstein, who posted a double-double (18 points, 10 rebounds) against Milwaukee’s huge frontcourt.
The Knicks center intercepted a pass to Antetokounmpo in the paint, dove to the ground with a thud, and beat Damian Lillard for possession and an easy lay-in.
With less than five minutes left, the Knicks had a 10-point lead.
“It was unbelievable,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “That type of play is inspiring and unifying. If that doesn’t excite you, [the media] Probably excited. ”
In addition to this performance, Hartenstein’s point total was the second highest of the season.
“I just did what the team needed. I just put my body on the line. That’s kind of how I play,” Hartenstein said. “If I go into the game with a bruise, I don’t really care. That’s what the team needs. In that moment, that was a huge asset. If I could get the ball at the end of the period, I’ll go get it.”
The Knicks (46-32) jumped past the Cavaliers to tie with the Magic for third place in the conference, but lost in the tiebreaker.
They are just one game behind the second place Bucks (47 wins, 31 losses).
The final four games (Chicago, Boston, vs. Nets, vs. Chicago) will have a big impact on playoff seeding. Thibodeau is dazzled by the standings cluster.
“I have no idea what day it is,” he said. “It’s the best time of the year.”
Antetokounmpo returned from a one-game absence with a sore left hamstring just in time to assert his size and strength against the Knicks.
The two-time MVP had 28 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists while being mostly guarded by OG Anunoby, who was present at the same time as the Knicks’ 16-3 record.
When asked how he would prepare to guard Antetokounmpo, Josh Hart said he needed a guard.
“Get your soccer pads out and put your helmet on,” Hart said. “Prepare for impact”
Hart’s words were true, but Antetokounmpo had no help. Lillard (23 quiet points) is all but gone.
Khris Middleton was not allowed to play in the second half of the game after having his tooth knocked out by a careless flying dive from DiVincenzo.
With this win, the Knicks avoided their worst season of the season, their fifth loss in six games.
The Knicks defeated the Bucks this season. USA Today Sports
Trailing by 11 points at the end of the first half, they started the second half on a 20-6 run and got through to the goal line with the help of Brunson’s continued brilliance and Hartenstein’s heart play.
“That’s important, but we have to build on that,” Branson said. “We haven’t been playing our best lately. So this was definitely a big win for us and we have to build on that.”
