New York Knicks 133–127 Chicago Bulls: match recap

Match recap

Jalen Brunson exploded for 38 points and the Knicks' bench provided a critical 48-point boost, powering New York to a 133-127 road win over the Bulls. The Knicks dominated the glass, grabbing 48 rebounds to Chicago's 39, and shot 45.8% from three to hold off a balanced Bulls attack led by Norman Powell's 30 points.

New York set the tone early with Karl-Anthony Towns securing a double-double by halftime, but the Bulls stayed within striking distance thanks to 30 points from Norman Powell and 20 from Coby Wilson. The game swung in the third quarter when Jalen Brunson erupted for 18 points in the period, and the Knicks' bench — led by Jordan Clarkson's 18 points — stretched the lead to double digits. Chicago fought back with a 13-4 run in the fourth, but Brunson answered with clutch buckets and Josh Hart's defensive activity sealed it. The Knicks' 48 bench points proved decisive, as the Bulls' reserves managed only 33. New York also controlled the boards 48-39, including 11 offensive rebounds from Andre Drummond in just 15 minutes. Per Yahoo Sports, the Knicks were without Jose Alvarado (ankle), but the depth held up.

Key factors

• Bench scoring: Knicks' reserves outscored Chicago's 48-33, with Jordan Clarkson (18) and Landry Shamet (14) providing a critical spark.
• Rebounding dominance: New York won the glass 48-39, including 11 offensive boards from Andre Drummond, generating second-chance points.
• Three-point efficiency: The Knicks shot 45.8% from deep (on high volume), while the Bulls managed 43.9% — not enough to keep pace.

The Analyst's take

Chicago's offense is potent, but they lack the frontcourt depth to handle Towns and Drummond on the glass. For the Knicks, Brunson's scoring floor raises their ceiling considerably, though relying on a single creator against elite defenses could be a concern in tighter matchups.