The New York Knicks made a statement on Friday night, securing a 116-107 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks to complete their first season sweep of the Bucks since 2013. OG Anunoby spearheaded the effort, delivering an impressive 31-point performance, while Mikal Bridges contributed 26 points to help the Knicks notch their third win in four games.
Dominance from the Start
The Knicks wasted no time establishing control, jumping out to a 9-0 lead and finishing the first quarter ahead 25-19. Delon Wright, who started the season with the Bucks before joining New York, scored 10 points in the opening period, adding an emotional spark to his new squad. New York’s early energy set the tone, and although Milwaukee’s offense found its rhythm in the second quarter, the Knicks maintained a double-digit lead, heading into halftime up 60-49.
Milwaukee’s Strong Push Falls Short
Despite shooting 57.6% from the field in the first half, led by 13 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo and solid contributions from Ryan Rollins (12 points) and Kyle Kuzma (11 points), the Bucks struggled to keep pace. Antetokounmpo finished with 30 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, but his efforts weren’t enough to halt Milwaukee’s three-game skid.
Without Damian Lillard, who remains sidelined indefinitely with a blood clot in his calf, the Bucks lacked the offensive firepower to match the Knicks’ balanced attack. Kuzma and Rollins added 20 points each, but Milwaukee’s inability to control the glass and protect the ball proved costly.
Knicks Weather the Storm
Milwaukee made a strong push in the third quarter, trimming the Knicks’ lead to just two points at one stage. However, New York answered with a 12-6 surge to regain control and entered the fourth quarter ahead 81-73, despite an uncharacteristic 0-for-8 effort from beyond the arc in the period.
When the fourth quarter began, the Knicks put the game out of reach. A blistering 18-7 run gave New York a commanding 99-80 lead with 8:27 remaining, and they never looked back. Josh Hart’s all-around brilliance played a key role, contributing 13 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in with 14 points and 10 boards.
Historic Sweep and Playoff Implications
The victory not only sealed a season sweep of Milwaukee but also marked the Knicks’ fifth consecutive win over the Bucks dating back to last season. Each of the three matchups this year was competitive, with New York’s nine-point margin of victory on Friday being the largest of the series.
As the playoffs loom, this sweep may prove significant if the Knicks and Bucks meet again in the postseason. New York’s ability to control the pace, dominate the boards, and force turnovers has been a winning formula against one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams.
With Anunoby and Bridges leading the charge and the Knicks playing with confidence and cohesion, New York’s postseason prospects are looking brighter than ever. If they can maintain this momentum, the Knicks may be primed to make a deep playoff run.
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