NY Knicks visit Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks in battle of East contenders
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Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on Oct 26.
PHOTO: AFP
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NEW YORK – Giannis Antetokounmpo and the New York Knicks spent much of the National Basketball Association (NBA) off-season being linked together in trade talks.
On Oct 28 (Oct 29, Singapore time), each party will see how the other is faring when Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks host the Knicks in the first meeting of the season between a pair of Eastern Conference contenders.
Both teams suffered their first defeats of the season on Oct 26, when the visiting Bucks fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers 118-113, and the Knicks lost 115-107 at the Miami Heat.
The loss did little to diminish another brilliant game by Antetokounmpo, who shouldered an even larger load than usual with Cole Anthony (illness), Kyle Kuzma (left ankle) and Kevin Porter Jr (left ankle) all sidelined.
He narrowly missed a triple-double and led all players in the game with 40 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists. He has posted at least 31 points, 14 rebounds and five assists in each of the Bucks’ first three games.
The historic nature of the Oct 26 performance was of little consolation to Antetokounmpo, who lamented the near-miss against another Eastern Conference power. The Cavaliers earned the top seed in the East in the 2024-25 season by going 64-18.
“It’s definitely one of the games; if you fight this hard, you want to leave this place with a win,” Antetokounmpo said. “And you can put in the back of your head that Kuzma, ‘Scoot’ (Porter) and Cole were not playing tonight, and we were still able to be close in the game. But that’s not who we’re going to be this year.”
The one-man show served as a reminder that the Bucks have won just one play-off series since 2021, when Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee to their first NBA title since 1971.
After the Bucks' third straight first-round exit last spring, the Knicks reportedly contacted Milwaukee about trading for Antetokounmpo.
New York have made aggressive moves in the last two seasons, acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and O.G. Anunoby, then firing Tom Thibodeau in June despite him leading the franchise to the conference finals for the first time in 25 years.
Despite a 2-1 start, vulnerabilities have emerged in the Knicks’ roster. Centre Mitchell Robinson remains sidelined with a chronic left ankle injury, while Josh Hart has been limited to 48 minutes over two games due to back spasms.
Towns is averaging 20 points and 14 rebounds but has been listed as questionable for all three games with a right quad injury.
And, similar to the Bucks, the Knicks lost on Oct 26 despite an all-around effort from their superstar. Jalen Brunson collected a game-high 37 points and seven assists.
Overall this season, New York are shooting 40 per cent and 33.1 per cent from long range – down from 48.6 per cent and 36.9 per cent, respectively, in the previous campaign.
Meanwhile in NBA action on Oct 27, reigning champions Oklahoma City, the Philadelphia 76ers, the San Antonio Spurs and the Chicago Bulls remained undefeated with impressive triumphs.
Oklahoma City got 23 points from reigning NBA Most Valuable Player and scoring champion Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, plus 18 points and 11 rebounds from Chet Holmgren in a 101-94 victory at Dallas.
Philadelphia guard Tyrese Maxey scored 43 points and Bahamian rookie guard V.J. Edgecombe added 26 to lead the 76ers to a 136-124 home win over Orlando.
Victor Wembanyama continued his strong start to the campaign, scoring 24 points and grabbing 15 rebounds to lead San Antonio’s 121-103 home triumph over Toronto.
Chicago’s Ayo Dosunmu tallied 21 points to lead eight double-digit scorers in a 128-123 home victory over Atlanta. REUTERS, AFP
