The Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks have a storied history in the NBA, one that spans decades and features memorable moments, shifting fortunes, and, more recently, a spotlight on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s challenges when facing the Knicks. As two Eastern Conference teams with passionate fanbases, their matchups have often carried weight, especially in recent years as both franchises have aimed to reassert themselves among the league’s elite.
A Brief History of Bucks vs. Knicks
The Bucks and Knicks first crossed paths in the late 1960s when Milwaukee joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1968. Early on, the Knicks held the upper hand, buoyed by their championship teams of the early 1970s, led by legends like Walt Frazier and Willis Reed. The Bucks, however, quickly found their footing with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson, claiming their first title in 1971. During this era, the teams were in different conferences—Milwaukee in the West and New York in the East—limiting their encounters to regular-season clashes and the occasional playoff meeting.
As the years progressed, the rivalry ebbed and flowed. The Bucks dominated in the 1980s with stars like Sidney Moncrief, while the Knicks resurgence in the 1990s under Patrick Ewing brought physical, defensive battles to the forefront. The two teams met in the playoffs several times, including a notable 1984 Eastern Conference Semifinals series where the Bucks swept the Knicks 4-0. However, for much of the 2000s and early 2010s, both franchises struggled, diminishing the intensity of their matchups.
The arrival of Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee in 2013 and the Knicks’ gradual rebuild in the late 2010s set the stage for a renewed rivalry. Since the Bucks moved to the Eastern Conference’s Central Division and solidified themselves as contenders, their games against the Knicks have taken on new significance, especially as New York has climbed back into relevance with players like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Giannis vs. the Knicks: A Tough Matchup
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s blend of size, speed, and skill makes him a nightmare for most opponents—but the Knicks have proven to be a particularly thorny challenge. The Bucks’ struggles against New York this season (and in recent years) have highlighted specific problems Giannis faces when taking on the Knicks.
- Physicality and Defensive Pressure
The Knicks, under coach Tom Thibodeau, are known for their gritty, physical style of play. This approach has consistently disrupted Giannis’ rhythm. New York’s defenders—whether it’s OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, or even Towns in certain match ups—throw multiple bodies at Giannis, forcing him into tough shots or turnovers. In a January 12, 2025, blowout loss (140-106), Giannis noted the Bucks’ lack of collective creation, saying, “We didn’t create for one another.” The Knicks’ swarming defence often isolates him, limiting his ability to facilitate and forcing him to carry the offensive load alone. - Struggles Against Versatile Bigs
Karl-Anthony Towns, acquired by the Knicks in 2024, has been a matchup nightmare for Giannis. Towns’ ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting pulls Bucks centre Brook Lopez out of the paint, leaving Giannis to guard him on the perimeter or switch onto quicker players. In the November 8, 2024, game (a 116-94 Knicks win), Towns torched Milwaukee for 32 points, exploiting Lopez’s slower foot speed and Giannis’ reluctance to start games guarding him due to the workload. Bucks coach Doc Rivers later admitted it was a “mistake” not to put Giannis on Towns from the tip, but even when adjusted, Giannis couldn’t fully neutralize Towns’ versatility. - Free-Throw Woes and Efficiency Dips
Giannis’ free-throw shooting has long been a point of criticism, and it’s magnified against the Knicks. New York’s physical defense sends him to the line frequently, but he’s struggled to capitalize. In the January 2025 loss, he shot just 47.6% from the field—his worst mark of the season—and his free-throw struggles (often hovering below 60% in these games) have prevented him from maximizing his scoring output. This inefficiency stands out when the Bucks need him most against a Knicks team that capitalizes on every mistake. - Team Struggles Against Elite Competition
While this isn’t solely a Giannis problem, his frustration with the Bucks’ 0-8 record against the East’s top three teams (Cavs, Celtics, Knicks) as of January 2025 underscores a broader issue. After the 140-106 defeat, he bluntly said, “We’ve gotta get our stuff together… We played horrible against them.” The Knicks’ balanced attack—led by Brunson’s 44 points in that game—exposes Milwaukee’s lack of depth and defensive cohesion, putting extra pressure on Giannis to overperform. When he can’t, the Bucks crumble, as seen in their inability to slow New York’s runs. - Mental and Competitive Edge
Giannis has been vocal about effort, famously calling out the Bucks’ lack of competitiveness after the November 2024 loss: “We didn’t compete at all.” The Knicks, with their Madison Square Garden energy and Thibodeau’s relentless mentality, seem to get under his skin. Unlike other teams where Giannis can dominate through sheer will, New York’s resilience forces him into a mental battle he hasn’t consistently won.
Looking Ahead
As of March 28, 2025, the Bucks sit at 40-31, a far cry from their dominant 60-win season in 2018-19, while the Knicks are thriving at 25-14. Giannis remains a force, averaging 31.7 points and 11.9 rebounds per game, but his 2-7 record against New York this season (including regular season and potential playoff matchups) tells a story of frustration. The Bucks’ next chance to face the Knicks comes on Friday, March 28, and with Damian Lillard sidelined indefinitely due to a calf injury, Giannis will need to overcome these challenges without his co-star.
Historically, the Bucks and Knicks have traded blows, but the current chapter favours New York. For Giannis, solving the Knicks puzzle—whether through better team execution, improved free-throw shooting, or a tactical adjustment to counter Towns—will be key to reasserting Milwaukee’s dominance in this rivalry. Until then, the “Greek Freak” faces an uphill battle against a Knicks team that’s found a formula to fluster him quite easily. Sure, Giannis might still get 20 or 30 points. But if he does, the Bucks will lose. Time to share the ball and trust his team mates.
——UPDATE AFTER THE GAME ——-
Yes, I was right, Giannis stat padding and no mid range:
And he hogged the ball as usual
And he played no defence as usual, pretty clear Rollins was the player of the game:
Tyler Kolek is not intimidated by Giannis 💪 pic.twitter.com/09DtlXJvnf
— Knicks Fan TV 🏀🎥📺🏁 (@KnicksFanTv) March 29, 2025
