Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
The Knicks did something on Christmas Day that they have not done in a long time. They beat the Milwaukee Bucks.
In front of 19,000+ at Madison Square Garden they gave their adoring fans a gift, by passing the elite test for the first time in the season’s opening 29 games. They were 0-6 against the Eastern Conference’s top two teams, Milwaukee and Boston, going into the Christmas Day matinee. Including 0-3 against the Bucks who they lost to in their previous game at home 130-111 on December 23rd. On Christmas Day they topped Milwaukee 129-122, ending a nine-game losing streak to them.
After a 36-point performance on 15 of 26 from the field in the Knicks Saturday loss to Milwaukee, Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson scored 38 points on 15 of 28 from the filed in the Christmas win. Julius Randle finished with 24 points and RJ Barrett 21 for the Knicks on Christmas while Immanuel Quickley added 20 points off the bench. “They’re a good team, and we feel like we are a good team as well so just taking that challenge, accepting that challenge that we hadn’t got them yet,” Quickley said after the game. “It’s been a while, so this one was a good one to get.”
The Knicks have also lost to the Boston Celtics, who have a game lead over Milwaukee for the best record in the Eastern Conference, three times in three matchups this season. The Knicks had the misfortune from a strength of schedule standpoint of playing seven of their first 29 games against the top two teams in their conference. They were 0-6 before the Christmas win which made some on the outside question their legitimacy as an Eastern Conference contender. “I don’t think we really showed ourselves,” Knicks swingman Josh Hart said postgame. “I feel like we are always confident going into a game.”
Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was his usual efficient self-providing 28 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists in Milwaukee’s Saturday win. On Christmas Day he scored 32 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and dished out 6 assists. His future Hall of Fame counterpart Damion Lillard had 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in Milwaukee’s Saturday win and he dropped 32 points and 8 assists in the Bucks lose two days later.
The Knicks will now end 2023 with three road games starting Wednesday night against a young upstart Oklahoma City Thunder team who hold the number three spot in the Western Conference. They will have their first meeting against the young surprising Orlando Magic who thus far have the fourth best record in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks will then face the Indiana Pacers for the first time this season where they will play against their old friend Obi Toppin who they traded over the summer after selecting him #8 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Milwaukee who has been in town since last Friday because of their back-to-back games versus the Knicks are still in town, and will be in Brooklyn to take on the Nets Wednesday night.
