Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET
TV: MSG (New York), FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin (FDSWI)
Streaming: Fubo, NBA League Pass (blackout restrictions apply)
This Eastern Conference matchup pits a Knicks team fighting for a top-3 seed against a surging but shorthanded Bucks squad desperately clinging to play-in positioning. The Knicks enter as clear road favorites, especially with Milwaukee missing its superstar.
Injury Report
New York Knicks
- Out: Miles McBride (pelvic – core muscle surgery), Pacome Dadiet (G League – on assignment), Dillon Jones (G League – two-way), Kevin McCullar Jr. (G League – two-way)
Rotation otherwise healthy and full strength.
Milwaukee Bucks – Severely depleted
- Out: Giannis Antetokounmpo (right calf strain), Taurean Prince (neck – surgery), Alex Antetokounmpo (G League – two-way), Cormac Ryan (G League – two-way)
No other major injuries reported, but the absence of Giannis is massive.
Recent Form
Knicks (37-22): 6-4 in their last 10, currently on a 1-game losing streak after a 94-109 road loss at Cleveland (Feb 24). Strong wins include 105-99 at Chicago (Feb 22) and 108-106 vs. Houston (Feb 21). They rank top-10 in both offensive (117.1 PPG, 9th) and defensive efficiency, with elite rebounding (45.9 RPG, 6th). Road record: 14-14.
Bucks (26-31): Red-hot 8-2 in their last 10 and winners of 2 straight (most recently 118-116 vs. Cleveland on Feb 25 and 128-117 vs. Miami on Feb 24). Without Giannis they’ve shown surprising resilience behind Kevin Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins, and Bobby Portis. Home record: 14-13, but defensive rating slips noticeably without their two-way anchor.
Head-to-Head / Series History
2025-26 season (1-1 split):
- Nov 28, 2025 (at NY): Knicks 118, Bucks 109 (Brunson 37 pts)
- Oct 28, 2025 (at MIL): Bucks 121, Knicks 111 (Giannis 37 pts)
Knicks have won 6 of the last 10 meetings overall (including playoffs). The Over has hit in both 2025-26 games, but recent contests at Fiserv Forum trend closer when Milwaukee has home energy.
Key Player Matchups
- Jalen Brunson (NYK, 26.7 PPG, 6.1 APG) vs. Ryan Rollins / Kevin Porter Jr. (MIL): Brunson has torched Milwaukee in recent meetings (37 pts last time). Without Giannis’ help defense, expect heavy usage and pick-and-roll dominance.
- Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK, 20.0 PPG, 11.7 RPG) vs. Bobby Portis (MIL, 13.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG): KAT’s size and shooting should overwhelm Milwaukee’s frontcourt. Towns is averaging a double-double and feasts on smaller lineups.
- OG Anunoby / Mikal Bridges (NYK wings) vs. Milwaukee perimeter (Rollins, etc.): Knicks length and switching defense should harass Milwaukee’s guards, who lack Giannis’ rim protection.
- Bench edge: Knicks have superior depth (even without McBride); Bucks rely heavily on Portis and Rollins to carry the load.
Betting Trends & Advanced Stats
- Knicks are 22-8 at home but solid 14-14 on the road and 25-15 vs. Eastern Conference foes. They are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 as favorites.
- Bucks are 8-2 straight-up in their last 10 but just 5-5 ATS; they struggle mightily without Giannis (covered only 3 of last 7 such games).
- Knicks rank top-6 in net rating (+5.4); Bucks are negative without their MVP candidate.
- The Under has hit in 6 of Milwaukee’s last 10 home games and in 7 of the last 10 head-to-head meetings when total is around 220-225.
- Road favorites of 7+ points vs. teams missing their best player: Knicks 12-4 ATS in similar spots this season.
Game Odds
New York Knicks – 8.5
Milwaukee Bucks 220.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, February 26, 2026
