Antetokounmpo savors payback as Bucks outlast Knicks 121-111
antetokounmpo-savors-payback-bucks-knicks
MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo admitted Tuesday night’s 121-111 win over the New York Knicks meant more than an ordinary October game, recalling that New York swept Milwaukee 3-0 last season with an average margin of 22 points.
“They were way better than us last year and we didn’t make it tough for them,” Antetokounmpo said after finishing with 37 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. “I don’t forget things.”
The Bucks fell behind by 14 in the first half but reversed course in the third quarter, outscoring the Knicks 35-20 behind 14 points and four assists from their two-time MVP. One sequence featured Antetokounmpo blocking Mikal Bridges at the rim and dunking on the ensuing fast break before gesturing to the crowd and declaring, “This is my city. I thrive when it’s tough.”
Milwaukee went 0-9 last season against the Eastern Conference’s top three seeds—Cleveland, Boston and New York—but opened this year’s slate against those clubs with a victory. The comeback also kept Antetokounmpo’s historic start intact; he is the first player in league history to post at least 30 points while shooting 60% or better in each of his first four games of a season.
Off the court, Antetokounmpo’s name was linked to the Knicks over the summer when ESPN’s Shams Charania reported New York was the lone destination he would have considered outside Milwaukee, though brief trade talks went nowhere. Asked about that speculation Tuesday, the forward steered the conversation to Thursday’s matchup with Golden State: “What matters right now is we have a game in two days against Golden State. Try to stay locked in and get two in a row.”
Source: ESPN
