Brunson Scores 38 as Knicks Erase 19-Point Deficit to Beat Bulls

The New York Knicks found the energy for another victory when it appeared their demanding schedule had finally caught up with them.

Playing in Chicago one night after defeating Detroit, the defending champions rallied from a 19-point third-quarter deficit to beat the Bulls 133–127. Jalen Brunson delivered 38 points and seven assists, while an outstanding effort from the bench helped New York improve to 2–3.

Chicago fell to 1–4 despite pushing the Knicks into a tense finish. The Bulls entered the matchup last in the NBA in three-point shooting but connected on 43% of their attempts from beyond the arc.

New York’s Bench Changes the Game

Brunson provided the scoring leadership, but New York’s reserves gave the comeback its momentum.

Jordan Clarkson finished with 18 points in 17 minutes, scoring 12 in the fourth quarter and posting a plus-15 rating. Tyler Kolek contributed nine points and nine assists without a turnover in just 18 minutes. Landry Shamet added 14 points and five assists across 32 minutes.

Their production proved essential with Jose Alvarado sidelined by an ankle sprain and several Knicks struggling to establish a rhythm.

OG Anunoby supplied 23 points and six rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 19 points and 13 boards despite a wrist scare and foul trouble.

Towns Returns After Early Injury Scare

The opening quarter featured frequent changes of momentum and an uncomfortable moment for New York.

Towns went down following contact involving Chicago’s Noa Essengue and headed to the locker room after appearing to hurt his wrist. He returned late in the period with his left wrist taped.

Mikal Bridges opened his scoring with a corner three, continuing the encouraging signs from his performance against Detroit. His opportunities were limited afterward, however, and he played only nine minutes before halftime.

Kolek knocked down his first three-pointer of the season near the end of the quarter, helping the Knicks take a narrow 34–33 lead.

Chicago rookie Caleb Wilson also made an early impression. The fourth overall pick attacked the basket confidently, including a dunk over Anunoby, and finished with 20 points, six rebounds, two steals and a block.

Bulls Take Control Before Halftime

Kolek continued creating opportunities in the second quarter, setting up Anunoby for an alley-oop and a three-pointer. Clarkson offered additional scoring, but the Knicks struggled to string together defensive stops.

New York collected 10 offensive rebounds in the first half, yet turnovers and inconsistent shooting prevented it from capitalizing. Miles McBride missed all six of his first-half attempts, while Bridges struggled to build on his early basket.

Chicago finished the half on a 13–3 run. Matas Buzelis and Norman Powell supplied important baskets before Tre Jones beat the buzzer to send the Bulls into the locker room ahead 62–56.

The Knicks shot 37% before the break, compared with Chicago’s 45%. Their 10 turnovers produced 12 Bulls points, and Chicago held a 28–20 advantage in paint scoring.

Brunson’s 16 points kept New York within reach.

A 19-Point Hole Sparks the Response

Towns opened the third quarter with five quick points and an assist to Anunoby, but his fourth foul forced him to the bench with 9:03 remaining.

Chicago immediately took advantage.

Powell attacked the rim, Josh Giddey orchestrated the offense, and New York continued missing opportunities. A 9–0 Bulls run extended the margin to 19 midway through the quarter.

Brunson then helped initiate the response. The Knicks put together a 22–7 surge, with Kolek hitting two more three-pointers and Andre Drummond contributing around the basket.

Powell’s late free throws gave Chicago a 96–90 lead entering the fourth, but New York had restored its chances.

Clarkson and Kolek Drive the Fourth-Quarter Push

The comeback continued while Brunson rested.

Towns and Clarkson connected from deep, and Kolek delivered five assists during the stretch without New York’s starting point guard. A 14–8 run brought the Knicks level at 104 with just over eight minutes remaining.

Clarkson then made several of the night’s most influential plays. Along with his fourth-quarter scoring, he intercepted consecutive Chicago passes, creating a Shamet three-pointer and a layup of his own.

Kolek’s controlled play gave New York another reliable ball handler. With Alvarado unavailable, he made a strong case for continued opportunities.

Brunson Finishes the Comeback

Brunson returned with 7:04 left and scored 13 points down the stretch, including three three-pointers, as the Knicks built an 11-point advantage.

His final triple came after an offensive rebound by Josh Hart and put New York ahead 130–122 with 1:39 remaining.

Chicago still had one more response.

Jalen Smith, who finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, hit a corner three to cut the deficit to three with 46 seconds left. Powell subsequently missed a potential game-tying attempt, leaving the Knicks ahead 130–127 with nine seconds remaining.

Brunson and Anunoby secured the result at the free-throw line.

Powell led Chicago with 30 points on 10-of-15 shooting. Buzelis added 17, while Giddey recorded 10 points and 11 rebounds.

For New York, the victory offered an encouraging demonstration of depth. On a night when fatigue, turnovers and foul trouble threatened to decide the game, the reserves created the opening and Brunson completed the recovery.