The New York Knicks delivered a stunning blow to the Milwaukee Bucks, snapping their impressive seven-game winning streak in a thrilling matchup. The star of the game was undoubtedly Jalen Brunson, who put on a masterclass performance, scoring an astonishing 38 points. From the opening tip-off, it was clear that this game would be one for the books. Both teams displayed exceptional skill and intensity, making it difficult to predict the outcome until the final buzzer sounded. However, it was Brunson's exceptional scoring ability that ultimately proved to be the difference-maker. Throughout the game, Brunson showcased his versatility and basketball IQ. His ability to drive to the basket with finesse and knock down shots from beyond the arc left defenders scrambling to contain him. Moreover, his leadership on the court inspired his teammates and allowed them to elevate their performance as well.
Julius Randle. His exceptional performance included scoring 40 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Randle's ability to consistently deliver under pressure proved crucial in securing their victory.
Four Knicks -- Brunson, Julius Randle (24), RJ Barrett (21) and Immanuel Quickley (20) -- scored at least 20 points, becoming the second team in the past 50 years to do so on Christmas Day, joining the 2012 Rockets, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
"We had a lot of guys in double figures and a lot of assists," Quickley said. "It was fun to play like that when everybody is moving and touching [the ball]. I think our defense really bled into our offense, so that has got to be the way every night."
Milwaukee getting a combined 88 points from its Big 3 of Giannis Antetokounmpo (32), Damian Lillard (32) and Khris Middleton (24).
"They came out and played like they had practiced and talked about it," Lillard said. "They played faster, played with a lot of energy and I thought they had a more collective effort, too. They had a lot of guys contribute to the win. We could've done a lot of things better and gave ourselves a little bit of a chance in the end, but it was just too late."
Milwaukee came in averaging 132.4 points in December but couldn’t even break 40 until there were less than four minutes remaining in the first half. The Bucks trailed by 16 with 4 1/2 minutes remaining in the game before a late flurry that made the score closer than the game felt.
"I thought they out-competed us today for the most part," Bucks coach Adrian Griffin said. "I thought offensively we got some good looks, but we just couldn’t knock them down. And when you’re on the road, you get clean looks, you’ve got to knock them down."
Brunson went 15 for 28 from the field, following up games of 45 and 36 points against the Bucks this season. Isaiah Hartenstein had 11 points and eight rebounds, and Josh Hart came off the bench for 10 points and nine rebounds.
Lillard tried to help the Bucks chip away at a 13-point deficit in the second but didn't get much help, with Middleton going 1 for 7 and Antetokounmpo 1 for 6. Randle's 3-pointer made it 62-51 at the break.
Milwaukee cut it to 77-73 midway through the third quarter, but Hart had a good burst of three straight Knicks baskets later in the period as New York pushed it back to 98-87 after three.
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