NEW YORK — The New York Knicks secured a dominant victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, winning 140-106, with Jalen Brunson delivering an impressive performance, scoring 44 points despite having to leave the game briefly due to a potential injury in the third quarter.

Brunson lit up the scoreboard early, netting 23 points in the first quarter, just shy of his personal best for any quarter. However, his night took a turn when he got his shot blocked on a drive and appeared to struggle to get back on his feet. He quickly indicated to the bench for assistance and headed to the locker room, raising concerns among fans and teammates.

Fortunately, Brunson returned to the game about six minutes later, receiving an enthusiastic welcome from the crowd. With this performance, he reached the 40-point mark for the 17th time in his career with the Knicks, tying him with Carmelo Anthony for the third position on the franchise’s all-time list of 40-point games.

In addition to Brunson’s standout performance, Karl-Anthony Towns contributed significantly with 30 points and 18 rebounds, helping the Knicks bounce back after struggling with four losses in their previous five games while shooting an impressive 58% from the field.

For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo tallied 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, but their three-game winning streak came to an end. Damian Lillard also added 22 points in the losing effort.

Key observations include the Bucks having tough outings in both of their visits to New York, experiencing their highest point total allowed this season during this latest matchup.

For the Knicks, as long as Brunson remains healthy, this victory marks a crucial step in regaining confidence after a shaky start to the year. The turning point of the game came right after halftime when the Knicks launched a 10-0 run, prompting the Bucks to call two quick timeouts, expanding the lead to 85-62.

Statistically, the Knicks’ first-half performance was notable, racking up 75 points, the highest the Bucks have permitted so far this season.

Looking ahead, the Knicks are set to host the Detroit Pistons on Monday for the second game of a back-to-back, while the Bucks will kick off a four-game homestand against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.