The Milwaukee Bucks’ NBA Cup journey ended with a 109–118 defeat against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The loss knocked Milwaukee out of further tournament contention.
The Bucks struggled to contain Jalen Brunson, who led the Knicks with sharp shooting and efficient playmaking. Despite solid contributions from Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee’s defense faltered in key stretches, allowing New York to take control early in the second half.
Milwaukee closed the gap briefly in the third quarter, but the Knicks responded with timely three-pointers and transition baskets, pushing the lead back to double digits. From that point, the Bucks were unable to recover.
“We played hard, but they executed better down the stretch,” Giannis said postgame, reflecting the night’s defining theme.
The loss highlights Milwaukee’s ongoing defensive inconsistency and their need for better offensive rhythm against high-pressure teams. The Knicks, meanwhile, continue to build momentum with balanced scoring and confident execution.
Author’s Summary: The Knicks’ balanced attack and Brunson’s leadership sealed a 118–109 win, ending Milwaukee’s NBA Cup run and exposing defensive gaps in the Bucks’ game plan.