The New York Knicks repeated over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday and Doc Rivers thinks his team did not improve from the last time they met.

Jan 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers coaches against the New York Knicks during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Dec 28, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) celebrates with Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) against the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

He is specifically focused on their defense against Jalen Brunson and Karl Anthony-Towns who scored 44 and 30, respectively.

“We haven’t down well with them in two games. Haven’t guard Towns well. And he shot 58 percent so it is not just Jalen. The whole team’s 44 [percent] from the three. 58 from the two,” Rivers said post-game.

Brunson had a field day on Sunday with his match-ups getting into foul trouble early. He in fact drew five fouls in the first quarter alone. Andre Jackson Jr. got three while AJ Green had four.

Jan 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) controls the ball against Milwaukee Bucks guard Andre Jackson Jr. (44) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Fourth quarter is where the Bucks dropped off, scoring just 17 points against their hosts’ 32.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for them with a double double of 24 and 14 while Damian Lillard had 22 points.

Khris Middleton was again effective from the bench with 16.

Doc Rivers calls out horrendous Bucks defense

Doc Rivers rues that Gary Trent Jr., one of the primary defenders against opponent’s guards, was not able to play. Ryan Rollins was not available, too.

Still, he thinks the team underperformed not just on Brunson.

Nov 8, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reacts as he coaches against the New York Knicks during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

“We still have to play through that [absence of GT]. We put AJ Green on a tough spot. Dre over-committed on too much stuff in the first quarter. Two of them [fouls] were bad to be honest. That has a ripple effect when you don’t have depth,” he said.

The Bucks fall to sixth place with the loss after climbing the fourth place for a time.

They will go back home to host the Sacramento Kings and the Orlando Magic on a back-to-back.