New York Knicks star guard Jalen Brunson made franchise history by defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 127-98 on Friday. The 29-year-old surpassed 7,000 points in the first quarter of his 265th game with New York, becoming the fastest player to reach the milestone in team history.
Brunson finished with a game-high 27 points in 31 minutes, shooting 11 of 17 from the field (64.7%), 4 of 6 from three-point range and 1-of-2 at the line. He also contributed seven rebounds and three assists. He exploded for 22 points in the opening quarter, including 9 of 10 shots and all three of his three-point attempts. The 22-point burst was the second-most points in a first quarter in franchise history, one short of his own record set against Milwaukee on January 12, 2025. It was the 10th 20-point quarter of his career, recorded as a Knicks, and the highest-scoring quarter by a New York player in any span this season.
In 55 games this season, Brunson has averaged 26.7 points, 6.1 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 0.7 steals per game, while shooting 47.1% from the floor and 37.6% from three-point range. He finished February averaging 23.8 points, 6.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 2.4 made threes and 0.8 steals in 35.6 minutes per game. Since signing with the Knicks as a free agent in 2022 after four seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, Brunson has earned three consecutive All-Star selections, two All-NBA Second Team honors, and led the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years last season.
New York shot 21 of 42 (50%) from three-point range and 60% overall in the first half, while leading 77–57 at halftime. The Knicks committed 16 turnovers resulting in 19 points and all five starters scored in double figures for the 15th time this season. OG Anunoby scored 24 points on 8-of-10 shooting, Karl-Anthony Towns added 17 points and 13 rebounds, and Landry Shamet hit five threes for 15 points.
The Bucks, who had won eight of their last 10 games and were playing their fifth game in eight days, played without Giannis Antetokounmpo (right calf strain), who missed his 14th consecutive game.
New York picked up an important win over a sub-.500 Milwaukee team. Next, the Knicks will host the Western Conference's No. 2-seeded San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.
