MILWAUKEE — The Knicks left Fiserv Forum with a statement win and in a better place in the standings.
Riding their engine Jalen Brunson, the visitors dominated the second half and rose to fourth in the East, besting the Bucks, 122-109 Sunday night.
Brunson dropped 43 points, reinforcing his All-NBA candidacy while out dueling Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Brunson added eight rebounds and six assists in 39 minutes — a one-man tour de force.
He kept the Knicks afloat during a rough first half, then finally got offensive help from Donte DiVincenzo (26 points) as the Knicks won the final two quarters, 72-48.
The Knicks (46-32) leapfrogged the Cavaliers and are now tied with the Magic for third in the conference but lose the tiebreaker.
They’re also just one game behind the Bucks (47-31) for second.
The final four games are going to be crazy.
The significance of each has Tom Thibodeau dizzy.
“I have no idea what day it is,” he said. “It’s the best time of the year.”
Antetokounmpo returned from a one-game absence because of left hamstring soreness, just in time to assert his size and strength against the Knicks.
The two-time MVP dropped 28 points with 15 rebounds and eight assists while mostly being guarded by OG Anunoby, whose presence has coincided with a 16-3 record for the Knicks.
Asked how he might prepare for guarding Antetokounmpo, Josh Hart said he’ll need protection.
“Get your football pads out, put your helmet on,” Hart said. “Brace for impact.”
Hart’s words rang true but Antetokounmpo got no help.
Dame Lillard (23 quiet points) largely disappeared.
Khris Middleton had his tooth knocked out by an inadvertent flying DiVincenzo hand and was ruled out for the second half.
The win avoided the Knicks’ worst stretch of the season with what would’ve been their fifth defeat in six games.
The Knicks trailed by 11 at the break and then started the second half on a 20-6 run, which they rode to the finish line.
Isaiah Hartenstein finished with 18 points and 10 boards.
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