Jalen Brunson scored 31 points to lead the New York Knicks to a 128-116 win over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday at Madison Square Garden. The victory ended a three-game losing streak for New York and dropped Chicago to 5-1 with its first loss of the season.
Karl-Anthony Towns posted 20 points and 15 rebounds for his fifth double-double this year. Josh Hart added 14 points and nine rebounds as the Knicks scored their season high in points.
The home team avoided a four-game skid, the first since February 8-14, 2024. New York improved to 3-3 on the year.
Josh Giddey paced Chicago with 23 points, 12 assists, and 12 rebounds for his first triple-double of the season. Nikola Vucevic had 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Bulls.
Chicago had been the last unbeaten team in the Eastern Conference. The loss denied the Bulls a 6-0 start, their first since the 1996-97 season with Michael Jordan.
The Bulls led the NBA in opponent 3-point percentage at 30.1 percent entering the game. New York hit 20 of 42 from deep for 47.6 percent overall.
The Knicks made 13 of 21 threes in the first half at 61.9 percent. Seven players hit at least two 3-pointers, including Brunson at 4-for-11.
New York’s bench scored 46 points after averaging 18 during the skid. Jordan Clarkson led reserves with 15 points off the bench.
OG Anunoby contributed 21 points and two rebounds. Mikal Bridges added 10 points and nine assists for the victors.
New York led by eight at halftime. The Knicks scored 37 points in the third quarter and hit 5-of-10 from three to lead 105-89.
Chicago scored 27 points in the fourth but could not close the gap. The Bulls shot 17-of-40 from three for 42.5 percent.
Isaac Okoro scored 14 points for Chicago. Matas Buzelis added 14 points, and Tre Jones had 15 points with five assists.
New York shot 43-of-95 overall for 45.3 percent. The Knicks went 22-for-22 from the free-throw line.
Chicago shot 45-of-93 for 48.4 percent. The Bulls committed 14 turnovers to New York’s 11.
The Knicks outrebounded Chicago 47-46. New York dished 31 assists compared to 28 for the visitors.
New York hosts Washington on Monday night. Chicago hosts Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
