KEY POINTS
- Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 32 points and 14 rebounds in a 118-112 win.
- Jalen Brunson contributed a critical double-double with 22 points and 11 assists for New York.
- Zach LaVine scored 35 points for Chicago but could not prevent the Bulls’ fourth straight loss.
The New York Knicks extended their current winning streak by defeating the Chicago Bulls on Sunday night. New York secured a 118-112 victory at Madison Square Garden. Center Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a dominant performance to lead the home team. He finished the game with 32 points and 14 rebounds.
Towns controlled the paint and displayed his versatile scoring ability from the perimeter. He shot efficiently from the field and converted several high-pressure free throws late in the game. This performance marked his third consecutive game scoring at least 30 points. His presence on the glass prevented Chicago from gaining second-chance scoring opportunities.
Point guard Jalen Brunson provided the necessary playmaking to keep the offense moving smoothly. Brunson tallied 22 points and dished out 11 assists to record a double-double. He focused on finding open teammates whenever the Bulls’ defense collapsed on him. His steady ball handling late in the fourth quarter helped New York maintain their lead.
Mikal Bridges also played a significant role in the Knicks’ offensive effort. He added 19 points and played stifling perimeter defense against Chicago’s top scorers. OG Anunoby chipped in with 15 points and two blocks during critical defensive possessions. The Knicks’ starting lineup combined for a high field goal percentage throughout the contest.
The Chicago Bulls fought back repeatedly despite trailing for most of the second half. Zach LaVine carried the offensive load for the visitors with 35 points. He hit seven three-pointers to keep the Bulls within striking distance until the final minute. LaVine’s scoring outburst challenged the New York defense consistently.
Coby White contributed 21 points for Chicago in a secondary scoring role. Nikola Vucevic battled Towns in the interior and finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Despite these individual efforts, the Bulls struggled to stop New York’s transition offense. Chicago has now lost four games in a row as they fall further in the standings.
The game remained competitive until the closing seconds of play. Chicago cut the lead to three points with less than a minute remaining. However, Josh Hart secured a crucial offensive rebound that allowed New York to burn more time. Hart finished the game with 10 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
New York now prepares for a difficult road trip through the Western Conference. Head coach Tom Thibodeau praised the team’s resilience during the final minutes of the game. He noted the improved chemistry between Towns and the rest of the roster. The Knicks continue to climb the Eastern Conference rankings with this latest win.
Chicago must address their defensive lapses before their next matchup on Tuesday. The team allowed too many points in the paint during the first half. They look to snap their losing streak when they host the Orlando Magic. Meanwhile, Knicks fans celebrated another strong showing from their new star center.
