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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Rohan Nadkarni

Knicks Earn Much-Needed Win Over Bucks to Tip Off Christmas

Three thoughts on the New York Knicks’ 129–122 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Christmas Day …

1. The Knicks were desperate for this win. Entering Christmas, the Knicks were winless in all of their matchups vs. the Bucks and Boston Celtics this season, the two teams many consider to be the class of the Eastern Conference. For a New York team that hasn’t been able to break through the glass ceiling of the second round in recent years, Monday’s win doesn’t assure any future success, but it has to be a confidence boost. Not only did the Knicks win, but they also did so with a balanced effort. Jalen Brunson will rightfully earn headlines for his 38-point performance. Don’t forget about Julius Randle’s 24 points, RJ Barrett’s 21 and Immanuel Quickley’s 20, though. The strength of the Knicks is their depth. When everyone is able to contribute against the best teams in the league, New York can compete with anyone.

Lillard scored 32 points for the Bucks on Monday.

Vincent Carchietta/USA TODAY Sports

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