Knicks dominate Bucks 127-98 at Fiserv Forum as Brunson’s first quarter sets tone

A lopsided finish after an early New York surge

The New York Knicks routed the Milwaukee Bucks 127-98 on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Fiserv Forum, turning a competitive opening stretch into a game that was largely decided by halftime. New York won each of the first two quarters 38-30 and 39-27, taking a 77-57 lead into the break and maintaining control the rest of the night.

Jalen Brunson led New York with 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting, with a first quarter that set the tone for the game. Milwaukee’s Myles Turner paced the Bucks with 19 points, but the home side did not generate enough stops or sustained offense to threaten after falling behind by double digits in the first half.

Perimeter efficiency and ball security widened the gap

The Knicks’ perimeter output was the clearest separator. New York made 21 of 41 three-point attempts (51%), while Milwaukee hit 16 of 42 (38%). New York also shot 53% overall from the field, compared with Milwaukee’s 43%.

New York’s offensive spacing was reinforced by multiple contributors. OG Anunoby scored 24 points and went 5-of-7 from three-point range. Karl-Anthony Towns added 17 points and 13 rebounds. The Knicks also received 12 points from Josh Hart and 10 from Mikal Bridges, reflecting a balanced rotation that kept pressure on Milwaukee’s defense across lineups.

Milwaukee finished with 16 turnovers to New York’s 11, a margin that compounded the Bucks’ difficulty getting set defensively. New York led for most of the night and built its largest advantage to 32 points.

Context: Milwaukee shorthanded, New York steady on a road night

Milwaukee played without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who remained out with a right calf strain. His absence continued to reshape the Bucks’ offensive hierarchy and frontcourt responsibilities, increasing the need for efficient shot creation from the perimeter and secondary options. Turner, Kyle Kuzma and guards tasked with initiating the offense faced a Knicks defense that limited extended runs after the opening minutes.

For New York, the performance represented an emphatic response on a Central Division trip: fast scoring early, consistent shooting, and a controlled second half that prevented Milwaukee from stringing together the stops and transition opportunities typically needed to flip a game’s momentum.

Game at a glance

• Final: Knicks 127, Bucks 98

• Quarter scores: NY 38-39-26-24; MIL 30-27-26-15

• Three-pointers: New York 21-of-41; Milwaukee 16-of-42

• Leading scorers: Brunson 27 (NY); Turner 19 (MIL)

New York’s decisive separation came in the first half, when its three-point volume and accuracy translated into a 20-point halftime lead that Milwaukee could not erase.