KNICKS BEAT WOUNDED BUCKS

Alec Burks and RJ Barrett each scored 21 points to help the New York Knicks to a 102-96 victory Saturday night over the Milwaukee Bucks, who were without Giannis Antetokounmpo and three other injured starters.

The victory was costly for the Knicks, who lost starting center Mitchell Robinson to a broken right foot in the first quarter. He will be re-evaluated when the Knicks return to New York today.

“It’s the NBA,” Barrett said. “It was a little different situation, but we found a way to win and had to pull it out.”

Burks’ 3-pointer put the Knicks up 99-96 with 1:19 remaining. Milwaukee then missed its next two 3-point attempts, along with a turnover.

Burks hit a technical foul free throw with eight seconds left to make it 100-96.

“You go into a game, and you’re planning for all possibilities, and you want to be ready,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “And then you have a number of guys that are out, then (they) have guys that are out as well, and then you have an injury during the game, and then you’re facing a zone for the entire game. It comes down to your ability to rise above whatever challenges that you’re facing and find a way to win.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo sat with a sprained left knee.

Milwaukee also was without starters Khris Middleton, Donte Divincenzo and Jrue Holiday. Forward Bobby Portis, the leading scorer off the bench, missed his second straight game due to COVID-19 protocols.

Clippers 122, 76ers 112:

Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points, Paul George had 24 points and Terance Mann added 23 off the bench to lead host Los Angeles.

Kings 100, Cavaliers 98:

Harrison Barnes made a 3pointer

Knicks 102, Bucks 96

at the buzzer to lift host Sacramento. De’aaron Fox led the Kings with 36 points.

Pelicans 112, Mavericks 103: Zion Williamson scored 38 points, including 10 during New Orleans’ 18-8 run in the final 3:42, and Nickiel Alexander-walker added 20 to lift the hosts over Dallas, which was missing Luka Doncic because of an illness. Williamson recorded his 23rd consecutive game of at least 20 points.

Celtics 111, Thunder 94: Jayson Tatum scored 20 of his 27 points in the second half and Boston rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Oklahoma City. Jaylen Brown added 25 points to help the Celtics even their season record as they closed out a four-game trip.

Wizards 106, Pistons 92: Russell Westbrook had 19 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists and host Washington beat Detroit in All-star guard Bradley Beal’s injuryshortened outing. Beal had 17 points in 21 minutes before the NBA scoring leader departed early in the third quarter, having started the game with a sore right foot.

Rockets 129, Timberwolves 107: Kevin Porter Jr. scored 25 points in his return to Houston’s lineup, John Wall had 13 points and 12 assists and the visiting Rockets beat Minnesota.

Spurs 120, Bulls 104:

Jakob Poeltl scored 20 points, Demar Derozan had 17 and host San Antonio spoiled Nikola Vucevic’s Chicago debut. Vucevic had 21 points, nine rebounds and four assists in his first game with his new team.

Jazz 126, Grizzlies 110:

Donovan Mitchell scored 35 points and Jordan Clarkson added 28 off the bench as host Utah rolled.

Notable

Lamarcus Aldridge decided to sign with the Nets for the remainder of the season, a person with knowledge of the details said.

AARON GASH AP The Knicks’ RJ Barrett, who finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, dunks during the first half Saturday against the Milwaukee Bucks.