The New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks went into Sunday’s matchup separated by 3 1/2 games in the Eastern Conference standings. But the gap between the two teams might be more significant than the standings demonstrate based on the Knicks’ 140–106 demolition of the Bucks at Madison Square Garden.
Jalen Brunson scored 44 points (shooting 5-of-10 on 3-pointers) with five rebounds and six assists to lead New York. The Knicks also got a star performance from Karl-Anthony Towns, who tallied 30 points and 18 rebounds.
Brunson might have gotten 50 if he hadn’t left the game with an apparent shoulder injury in the third quarter. He appeared to get hurt in a collision with A.J. Green while driving to the basket. Brook Lopez also made contact with Brunson in the lane, but didn’t appear to hit the right shoulder that Brunson grabbed in pain.
The Knicks point guard soon returned to the game to rousing cheers from the home crowd. But with a 30-point lead, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau pulled his starters and Brunson didn’t get an opportunity to go for 50.
Thibodeau told reporters during his postgame press conference that Brunson suffered a “stinger” and was fine.
