MILWAUKEE — Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo admitted on Tuesday victory with a score of 121-111 over New York Knicks had some added significance, but only because the Knicks beat the Bucks in the previous season's series.
Indeed, New York has beaten Milwaukee 3-0 in the 2024-25 season, winning those games by an average margin of 22 points, which is exactly what Antetokounmpo was thinking going into this game.
“They were a lot better than us last year and we didn't make it difficult for them,” said Antetokounmpo, who had 37 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. “In my opinion, it was very easy. And as the leader of this team, I remember. I don't forget anything. And I try to set the tone for the team from the beginning and try to remind them that they beat us last year.”
Last season, Milwaukee's struggles extended to each of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, going 0-9 against the top three teams in the standings. Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and Knicks.
But the Bucks set a different tone Tuesday, scoring 14 points in the first half to earn a comeback victory.
Antetokounmpo led the charge with an impressive third quarter in which he scored 14 points and dished out four assists as the Bucks outscored the Knicks 35-20. After one play midway through the third, Antetokounmpo blocked a layup attempt. Mikal Bridges then dunked at the other end of the floor. As Antetokounmpo walked down the court, he pointed to himself and pointed to the crowd.
“This is my city. I love it when it’s hard here,” Antetokounmpo recalls saying. “I thrive when it's hard. When you make it difficult, I thrive.”
Antetokounmpo, who became the first player in league history to score at least 30 points on 60% shooting or better in each of his first four games of the season, added that there was no deeper meaning beyond the message and that it was just in the thick of it.
Antetokounmpo has been linked to the Knicks since ESPN's Shams Charania reported over the summer that Antetokounmpo believed New York was the only place he'd want to play outside of Milwaukee. The two sides held brief trade talks that never progressed.
However, Antetokounmpo on Tuesday didn't want to get too caught up in offseason speculation, saying his focus was on basketball and the Bucks' next game against the visiting Bucks. Golden State Warriors on Thursday.
“The important thing right now is we have a game in two days against Golden State,” he said. “Try to stay locked in and get two in a row.”
