Bucks 20, Knicks 19: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Obi Toppin is back on the court for the first time since playing the Hawks on Dec. 7. – 8:03 PM

Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Jalen Brunson has 15 in the first quarter. @Stefan Bondy recently wrote about a trend where it’s Julius Randle as the opener and Brunson as the closer. Against the Bucks, it’s the opposite. Randle can’t buy a three (0/7) but Brunson is hot to start. #Knicks – 8:03 PM

Fred Katz @FredKatz
Jalen Brunson has 15 of the Knicks’ 19 points. I’m thinking that ratio will have to change at some point if the Knicks want to stay in this game. – 8:02 PM

Steve Popper @StevePopper
Toppin may be in for Randle, but playing the part of Randle as the first quarter sniper is Jalen Brunson, who has 15 of the Knicks 19 points already. – 8:02 PM

Brian Mahoney @briancmahoney
Obi Toppin is back on the court for the first time in a month after recovering from a fracture in his right leg. – 8:02 PM

Frank Madden @fmaddenNBA
Bobby coughs it up 30 feet from the hoop and instead of hustling back looks around at the ref. Randle blows a layup but gets the easy putback because Bobby didn’t run back on D. Simple stuff, man. – 8:01 PM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
MarJon Beauchamp in with Jevon Carter/Joe Ingles/Bobby Portis/Brook Lopez for the #Bucks – 8:00 PM

Fred Katz @FredKatz
Obi Toppin is playing in a New York Knicks basketball game – 8:00 PM

Steve Popper @StevePopper
And Obi Toppin is in for the first time since December 7 — subbing in for Randle with 3:52 left in the first quarter. – 7:58 PM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
The #Knicks take a 14-13 lead on the #Bucks, who came out of the last timeout with three straight turnovers and then missed the two shots they got up. They’re just 4-for-15 while the Knicks are 5-for-20 from the floor. – 7:58 PM

Fred Katz @FredKatz
Eight minutes into this game, Julius Randle is 0-7 from deep. – 7:57 PM

Steve Popper @StevePopper
Tonight may not be the night for Randle – after having 5 3’s in Toronto Friday he’s missed his first 7 from beyond the arc in the first quarter. – 7:57 PM

Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Milwaukee’s Jrue Holiday had seven first-quarter fouls all season entering tonight.
He had three in the first 4:28 tonight vs. the Knicks, the fastest three fouls to start a game by anyone this season.
Mason Plumlee had three in the first 5:17 of Charlotte-Denver on Dec. 18. – 7:56 PM

Fred Katz @FredKatz
Obi Toppin is about to check in – 7:56 PM

New York Knicks @nyknicks
Grimes with the steal 🤝 Quick with the lay pic.twitter.com/S5jUq6MX5f – 7:56 PM

Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Randle misses his first seven shots, then blows an open transition layup before finally getting one to fall after grabbing his own rebound. – 7:56 PM

Fred Katz @FredKatz
The Bucks: Totally fine with giving up a 3 if it means you’re not attacking the paint.
The Knicks: Totally fie with giving up a 3 if it means you’re not attacking the paint.
The result: A lot crap ton of 3s. – 7:55 PM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Joe Ingles checks in to join Brook Lopez, Jevon Carter, Grayson Allen and Bobby Portis on the court for the #Bucks – 7:54 PM

Fred Katz @FredKatz
I cannot imagine how deflating it must be to get Jrue Holiday into early foul trouble, congratulate yourself for getting an all-time defensive guard out of the game, and then to look up and see Jevon Carter is the guy coming in. – 7:53 PM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Like in Toronto, the #Knicks came out misfiring on nearly everything. They went 0-for-7 to start and are just 2-for-13 — yet the #Bucks only lead 13-7 because they’re just 4-for-13. – 7:53 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
The Bucks lead, 13-7, with 5:46 left in the first quarter, which is nice, but this is going to be a tough first half with Jrue Holiday in foul trouble.
They’re going to really have to work on the offensive end for good looks, while still staying solid defensively. – 7:52 PM

Brian Mahoney @briancmahoney
Jrue Holiday picks up his third foul in the first 4 1/2 minutes of the game. Tough for a Bucks team still missing Khris Middleton. – 7:50 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Jrue Holiday picks up three personal fouls in the first four and a half minutes.
Jevon Carter has entered for Holiday with 7:32 left in the first quarter. – 7:50 PM

Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Make it 3 fouls on Jrue Holiday. Heady play by Jalen Brunson to drive right into him and force the contact. Jevon Carter is in for Milwaukee. – 7:50 PM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
THREE fouls on Jrue Holiday defending Jalen Brunson at the 7:32 mark of the first quarter. Not an ideal start for the #Bucks point guard. – 7:50 PM

Steve Popper @StevePopper
Brunson nearly fouls Jrue Holiday out in the first 4:28 — three fouls already. – 7:50 PM

Danny Leroux @DannyLeroux
Watch Bucks-Knicks with me and @Nate Duncan live on League Pass and send in your questions using #NBAStrategyStream https://t.co/1Qa1S5rTWg pic.twitter.com/A7OjdqP0qI – 7:50 PM

Steve Popper @StevePopper
3:57 into the game and the Knicks hit their first shot from the floor — A Brunson foul line jumper as a continuation on a Holiday foul. Missed their first 7 shots. – 7:48 PM

Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Bucks leaving Jrue Holiday in with 2 early fouls – 7:48 PM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
The #Knicks started the game 0-for-7 until Jalen Brunson hits a continuation jumper on Jrue Holiday.
Holiday now has two fouls in the first four minutes of the game. – 7:48 PM

Brian Mahoney @briancmahoney
Bucks yielded season-worst 51 points in the first quarter against Charlotte in their last game. They started this one by forcing the Knicks to miss their first seven shots. – 7:48 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Wide open Giannis for three!! 👌 pic.twitter.com/09zMkWEIK7 – 7:47 PM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
#Bucks take an early 10-2 lead on the #Knicks – 7:46 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Giannis Antetokounmpo with the catch-and-shoot three early here in New York.
Bucks have taken five 3s in the first two and a half minutes. They’ve made two of them and lead, 7-2, after a free throw from Giannis Antetokounmpo. – 7:46 PM

Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Knicks throwing Mitchell Robinson the ball in the post? – 7:45 PM

Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Watch today’s cast for Bucks-Knicks live on League Pass! Ask a question using #NBAStrategyStream, answering your questions during breaks with @Danny Leroux https://t.co/18zkWEZofh pic.twitter.com/FqvgpGwUtI – 7:45 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Corner Splash to start us off!! pic.twitter.com/3IDtbj6ZTZ – 7:44 PM

Steve Popper @StevePopper
Randle on Giannis – Grimes on Holiday to start. – 7:42 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Let’s watch some basketball.
Bucks-Knicks. pic.twitter.com/C4aWpu6cQ6 – 7:40 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
It’s time for Bucks Basketball!! pic.twitter.com/aZH95WQRa5 – 7:39 PM

New York Knicks @nyknicks
First Five. pic.twitter.com/qurrPK4R8d – 7:37 PM

Steve Popper @StevePopper
Giannis gets a huge ovation. Grayson Allen gets booed loudly. All is right at Madison Square Garden tonight. – 7:37 PM

New York Knicks @nyknicks
Time to work pic.twitter.com/9BZnAElza6 – 7:34 PM

Danny Leroux @DannyLeroux
On the call for Bucks-Knicks with @Nate Duncan! Send in your questions using #NBAStrategyStream https://t.co/1Qa1S5rTWg pic.twitter.com/Qa5ox7yQwq – 7:30 PM

Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
We’re live for Bucks-Knicks! On the call with @Danny Leroux, submit your questions using #NBAStrategyStream https://t.co/18zkWEZofh pic.twitter.com/lLpyJjOQOc – 7:30 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Start it up, Jrue!!
🎥 @SociosUSA pic.twitter.com/W3uD2TP5g9 – 7:25 PM

Rosalyn Gold-Onwude @ROSGO21
All in a days work! Postgame interview with Giannis! Nothing like #GameDay! 🏀💪🏽🎤 #BucksAtRaptors #Toronto #NBA #SidelineStories pic.twitter.com/nnrw3jIgwo – 7:21 PM

New York Knicks @nyknicks
3⃣0⃣ ready to hoop
VOTE https://t.co/9CMyb0dyMO pic.twitter.com/RFuQHNLARb – 7:18 PM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Pat Connaughton, Grayson Allen, Jrue Holiday, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez will start for the #Bucks vs. the #Knicks – 7:14 PM

Justin Garcia @tmjgarcia
Get the scout on the Knicks as @DaveKoehnPxP catches up w/ @Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Vin Baker on the Bucks Radio Network on.soundcloud.com/YZPTo – 7:14 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Tonight’s Five in New York: pic.twitter.com/nutHx4hz2d – 7:09 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Bobby continues to lead the league with 17 double-doubles off the bench this season.
🎥 @SociosUSA pic.twitter.com/9SbYIYG9Kp – 6:55 PM

New York Knicks @nyknicks
Pregame Oop 💥 pic.twitter.com/FYHRCVRdYr – 6:46 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Grayson hit the tie-breaker 3 with 30 seconds left to help lift the Bucks over the Knicks, 109-103 on November 30, 2022.
@betwayusa Game Rewind pic.twitter.com/8RGZgGQqji – 6:31 PM

Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
About an hour away from tonight’s #NBAStrategyStream for Bucks-Knicks live on League Pass with @Danny Leroux! Taking your questions live on air, send yours in using #NBAStrategyStream https://t.co/18zkWEZofh pic.twitter.com/IAv6qWm8j1 – 6:30 PM

New York Knicks @nyknicks
Outerwear makes the fit #UltraDrip pic.twitter.com/AEJ30zoINU – 6:27 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
📍 The Garden.
📸 @MotorolaUS pic.twitter.com/tlEPCR3pGD – 6:15 PM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
#Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said Serge Ibaka will not be available on this trip for personal reason.
Milwaukee has a back-to-back in Atlanta (Wed) & Miami (Thu) and then an early tip in Miami on Sat. – 6:14 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters that Serge Ibaka is not with the team currently (personal reasons) and will not join the team on this four-game road trip. – 6:12 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Mike Budenholzer says Serge Ibaka will not join Milwaukee on its four game trip that begins tonight against the Knicks. Bucks go on to play in Atlanta and then twice in Miami this week. – 6:06 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Bobby Blue.
📸 @MotorolaUS pic.twitter.com/dYqebLLMcM – 5:57 PM

Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Tom Thibodeau said RJ Barrett is “real close” to returning from injury and that he’s doing well with his rehab. – 5:57 PM

Ian Begley @IanBegley
RJ Barrett is ‘real close’ and doing well, Tom Thibodeau says. “We’ll see where he is tomorrow.” – 5:57 PM

Fred Katz @FredKatz
RJ Barrett is “real close. He’s doing well,” Tom Thibodeau says. “We’ll see how he’s doing tomorrow.” – 5:57 PM

Ian Begley @IanBegley
Unclear if Obi Toppin has progressed to point where he can play regular rotation minutes tonight vs. MIL. When asked if Toppin was ‘situational’ tonight, Tom Thibodeau said ‘he could be.’ He added that Toppin has progressed well in his recent workouts. – 5:51 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Tom Thibodeau admits the fact the Knicks are playing well does make it more complicated to work someone like Obi Toppin back into the rotation. Toppin is back and available to play from the leg injury that has kept him out for the past month. – 5:50 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Tom Thibodeau says RJ Barrett will remain out for the Knicks tonight against the Bucks here at Madison Square Garden. – 5:46 PM

Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
RJ Barrett is out tonight for the #Knicks – 5:46 PM

Fred Katz @FredKatz
RJ Barrett is OUT tonight, Tom Thibodeau says – 5:46 PM

Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Update to the Knicks’ status report for tonight’s game against Milwaukee:
Bondy – OUT (illness)
WINFIELD – AVAILABLE – 5:26 PM

New York Knicks @nyknicks
Tale of the tape 📊 pic.twitter.com/1JJxWt9DIm – 5:11 PM

Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Yesterday was the 1-year anniversary of mobile sports betting being legalized in New York.
And the $$ for that first year is staggering.
$16,192,562,924 in handle in 2022 in NY.
Which generated $1,350,967,099 in revenue
Resulted in a total of $693 million generated in taxes. – 5:09 PM

Tas Melas @TasMelas
Giannis going for 50 tonight pic.twitter.com/7d7lHBSCFG – 5:02 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Back in the Big Apple.
🎰 @paysbig pic.twitter.com/ZiQAlfTQNU – 5:02 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
In Photos: Bucks getting loose at The Garden. – 4:31 PM

Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
LeBron not playing tonight pushes his target date for breaking the NBA all-time scoring record — based on his current average — back to Feb. 9 against Milwaukee. – 4:30 PM

Steve Popper @StevePopper
So good and bad for the Knicks – Donovan Mitchell named eastern conference player of the week. But Randle and Brunson both were also nominated. So there’s that. – 3:54 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Heck of a week featuring circus shots, windmill jams, & clutch buckets.
Plays of the Week presented by @BMO_US. pic.twitter.com/EdVJb96vaT – 3:31 PM

StatMuse @statmuse
Longest active win streak:
6 — Grizzlies
5 — Lakers
4 — Timberwolves, Knicks pic.twitter.com/TxOOY4f4bA – 3:16 PM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
From no-trade clauses to luxury tax restrictions, how can the Milwaukee #Bucks make a trade?
📍this primer as the NBA barrels to the trade deadline.
🗓Key dates
📑Contract info
💰Details on what money the Bucks can work with.
jsonline.com/story/sports/n… via @journalsentinel – 3:15 PM

Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
On the call tonight for Bucks-Knicks at 7:30 PM ET with @Danny Leroux! Join us live on League Pass and send in your NBA questions using #NBAStrategyStream https://t.co/18zkWEZofh pic.twitter.com/zJDHhc3xeh – 3:13 PM

Danny Leroux @DannyLeroux
On the call tonight for Bucks-Knicks at 7:30 PM ET with @Nate Duncan! Join us live on League Pass and send in your NBA questions using #NBAStrategyStream https://t.co/1Qa1S5rTWg pic.twitter.com/5GLdeUSwB5 – 2:56 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
New episode of The Stock Report is live!
Stock Up: Lakers, Knicks, Grizzlies
Stock Down: Clippers, Suns, the MVP race
youtube.com/watch?v=zilNvB… – 2:33 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Will the Bucks have more or less than 5.5 steals tonight?
📊 @betwayusa pic.twitter.com/Vf8NyZejFG – 2:31 PM

Steve Popper @StevePopper
Latest injury report for Knicks vs. Bucks. Middleton out tonight. Barrett remains doubtful. pic.twitter.com/sEW52skA0f – 2:04 PM

Eric Koreen @ekoreen
There are about a billion qualifiers here, and PHX, IND, MIL, NY, POR doesn’t represent the peak of NBA offence, but Raps have allowed just 107.9/100 over last 5 and opponent eFG% of 53.3. Both are huge improvements to play that came before it. – 1:42 PM

Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the NBA in dunks right now. If he holds on for the rest of the season, the Milwaukee Bucks star would break Rudy Gobert’s four consecutive seasons reign as the NBA’s dunks leader.
Giannis has 111 in 29 games. He is AVERAGING 3.8 dunks per game. pic.twitter.com/ykcxOWXaBh – 1:35 PM