Giannis Talks Win vs. Knicks After 2024-25 NBA Season Sweep, 'I Don't Forget Things'
Even though every NBA season is its own unique entity, Giannis Antetokounmpo has very strong memories of how the Milwaukee Bucks struggled against the New York Knicks last season as he was dominating in Tuesday's game between the two Eastern Conference teams.
After leading the Bucks to a 121-111 win, Antetokounmpo told reporters "I don't forget things" in reference to his team going 0-3 against the Knicks during the 2024-25 season:
"They were way better than us last year, and we didn't make it tough for them. It was very easy in my opinion. And as the leader of this team, I remember. I don't forget things. And I try to, from early at shootaround, set the tone for the team and try to remind them, last year, they swept us."
Antetokounmpo's assessment that the Bucks "didn't make it tough" on the Knicks last season is very accurate. New York's average margin of victory was 21.7 points in the three games.
The Bucks didn't have much success against any of the best teams in the East last season. The top three seeds in the conference (Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics) were a combined 10-0 against Milwaukee in 2024-25.
That trend seemed like it was going to continue this season after the Bucks lost to the Cavs on Sunday, but Antetokounmpo put an end to the streak with an incredible effort against the Knicks.
The two-time NBA MVP finished with 37 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two blocks in 33 minutes on Tuesday night. Twenty-three of his points and six of his assists came in the second half, as the Bucks outscored the Knicks 62-40 to erase a 12-point halftime deficit.
Antetokounmpo is off to a fantastic start with 36.3 points, 14.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game in four games. The Bucks are 3-1 with a marquee win on their resume against a Knicks team expected to be among the best in the Eastern Conference.
Milwaukee can add another signature win against a Western Conference opponent on Thursday when it hosts the Golden State Warriors at Fiserv Forum.
