Knicks knock Bulls 116-110 as Randle, Brunson combine 66 points

The Knicks defeated last night at the Garden the Chicago Bulls with a commanding 116-100 win. Julius Randle led the Knicks with 35 points, while Jalen Brunson delivered 31 points and 13 assists.

Newcomer OG Anunoby, making his presence felt, contributed 11 points, 8 rebounds, and boasted a game-high +/- of +35, indicating his positive impact on the team’s performance.

Donte DiVincenzo added 11 points to the scoreboard, and Isaiah Hartenstein had a standout game with 10 points, a career-high 20 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Hartenstein’s performance comes after another impressive game against the Minnesota Timberwolves where he delivered three blocks against Rudy Gobert. The 25 year old center is getting more and more confident with his starting role since the season-ending injury of Mitchell Robinson.

The Knicks faced a challenging moment in the second quarter, trailing 54-44. However, a remarkable third-quarter surge saw them outscoring the Bulls 35-23, giving them an 86-78 lead. The Bulls attempted a comeback, narrowing the lead to 93-91 early in the fourth quarter. Yet, the Knicks responded emphatically, embarking on a decisive 23-9 run to secure the victory.

The starting lineup delivered an outstanding collective effort, with each player finishing in double figures. On the contrary, the bench struggled, contributing just 18 points, with Quentin Grimes leading the reserves with 8 points. The second unit faced challenges upon insertion, allowing the Bulls to make a push and nearly take the lead. Coach Thibodeau had to reintroduce Brunson to inject energy and stability.

The Bulls played shorthanded without key players Zach LaVine, Lonzo Ball, and Nikola Vucevic, all sidelined due to injuries. DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 28 points, and Colby White added 26.

The Knicks dominated in the paint, outscoring the Bulls 54-36, and shot better form the field, going 51.7% compared to the Bulls who shot just 41.6%. The Knicks are now undefeated in 2024, winning consecutive home games after finishing 2023 with three straight losses.

Up-next: The Knicks (19-15) will take on their Sixers (23-10) rivals in Philly on Friday from 7:30pm