The Milwaukee Bucks are back to their old ways from what we’ve seen from them this season, and they’re up against a much superior opponent in the New York Knicks.

The Bucks traveled to Madison Square Garden for their first two-person meeting there this season; however, it was to be forgotten. Milwaukee was kicked out of the gym Friday night, handing the Bucks their seventh loss of the season.

The Bucks had just ended their six-game losing streak Thursday night against the lowly Utah Jazz, and it looked like the odds may have tilted in their favor. Instead, the Bucks returned to the team we saw for most of the season.

It was a performance to forget from the 2-7 Bucks, and no one was more disappointed with the outing than their superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Antetokounmpo was blunt in his postgame press conference, saying the performance was discouraging because of how he thought they turned the corner against the Jazz.

“Did we compete in the previous game? Yes. Did we compete in both (games before that)? Yes. Did we compete today? No,” he said. said. “…If you don’t fight hard, you’re not going to win the game. (You have to) at least give yourself a chance.”

Antetokounmpo wasn’t done there. He also said that if his team displays this same type of performance in their next game against another superior opponent, the Boston Celtics, then the result will be the same.

“We came to New York after playing well last night. Then we come here and lose by 30. Are you OK with not competing? I’m not OK with that. We have Boston in two days. We don’t compete, we’re going to lose within 30.”

The Bucks are now tied for 13th place in the Eastern Conference standings. If things continue like this, a team that was supposed to compete for the Larry O’Brien Trophy will perhaps compete for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

There’s a ton of season left to play to turn things around, but it’s never the start you want, especially with guys like Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard alongside you.

The Bucks will face the Celtics on Sunday afternoon. They are currently +2.5 home underdogs, and all eyes will be on whether the Bucks are indeed a contender or contender.

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