RJ Barrett could use a jump shot under his Christmas tree.
The Knicks forward continued his rancid stretch Saturday by missing 12 of his 17 attempts with only one assist because the Knicks were again humbled by the Bucks in a 130-111 defeat at MSG.
In his past six games, Barrett, the best Knicks draft pick since Patrick Ewing, connected on just 36.7 percent of his field goals and 20.8 percent of his treys.
His dud Saturday helped waste a 36-point gem from Jalen Brunson.
After starting this campaign on a tear, Barrett’s efficiency has plummeted, and he’s back to around his profession average.
The migraine issue from November, which should’ve only briefly derailed Barrett’s season, can not be used as an excuse.
With a probability to chop the deficit to single digits early within the fourth quarter, Barrett missed consecutive floaters within the lane. He then nailed a pair shots in garbage time, making his statline — 13 points in 29 minutes — look higher than its reality.
The Knicks (16-12) snapped a two-game losing streak, with owner James Dolan in a festive spirit wearing Christmas antlers in his baseline seat.
His performance Saturday was the worst offensively from the Knicks (Immanuel Quickley and Josh Hart were also within the running), but team defense was again a difficulty.
The sharpshooting Bucks (22-7), who’ve already defeated the Knicks thrice and return to MSG for a Christmas matchup, buried 16 3-pointers on 32 attempts.
It was the third time the Bucks punished the Knicks from long distance, hitting at the very least 50 percent of their matchups.
Coach Tom Thibodeau will need a unique game plan — or higher closeouts from his players — by Christmas.
Bobby Portis, the previous Knick, scored an brisk 23 points off the Bucks bench.
Giannis Anetotokounmpo added 28 points.
The Knicks were playing at a deficit for many of the first half and trailed by 16 late within the second quarter.
But they closed the half on a 10-2 run, capped by Brunson’s buzzer-beating jumper to chop the deficit to eight.
Then the Bucks went on a run at first of the third quarter and never looked back.
