Mudiay, Knox spark Knicks against Bucks

New York snaps 2-game losing streak; Giannis fumes

NEW YORK — In one locker room, the New York Knicks spoke about the fight they displayed over 53 minutes against the NBA’s highest-scoring team.

Down the hallway, the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo was fighting mad.

“One thing about our team is that we’re always going to fight,” Emmanuel Mudiay said after he scored 28 points to lead the Knicks to a 136-134 overtime win over Milwaukee on Saturday.

“We don’t play the scoreboard. That’s the one thing coach (David Fizdale) always preaches.”

Rookie forward Kevin Knox scored a career-high 26 points as New York snapped a two-game losing streak. Damyean Dotson and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 21 points each. Noah Vonleh contributed 15 points.

“It was good to see the ball go in the net,” said Knox, who had been the subject of criticism for his play. “It felt good. Just (have) to keep working (and) never get too high, never get too low.”

While the Knicks were reveling in one of their most satisfying wins of the season, Antetokounmpo was vowing vengeance for an act he perceived as disrespect.

Antetokounmpo was angry at Knicks forward Mario Hezonja, who early in the first quarter dunked on the Milwaukee star, then stared and stepped over him — much to the delight of the Madison Square Garden crowd.

“I’m going to punch him in the (groin) next time,” said Antetokounmpo, who had 33 points and 19 rebounds.

The teams next meet Christmas Day in New York.

Hezonja, who was unaware of Antetokounmpo’s words, did note the crowd reaction to his only bucket of the game.

“Honestly, if you’re afraid, this is not for you,” Hezonja said. “I don’t want to be disrespectful, but if you feel fear, this is not the place for you. New York is not a place for you, and this team is not a place for you.”

Eric Bledsoe scored 27 points for Milwaukee, which has lost three of its last five

Malcolm Brogdon finished with 22 points, Brook Lopez had 13, and Khris Middleton and Tony Snell each scored 10.

“We got up a couple different times but didn’t have the focus or determination to take it to the next level,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said.