Jalen Brunson gave the Knicks exactly what they needed, and then some, in a comeback win over the Bulls.
After New York dropped its first three games of the season, Brunson snapped the skid with one of his sharpest outings since the NBA Finals: 38 points, one rebound, seven assists and two steals while shooting 52.0% from the field. He set the tone for a team that looked shaky early, then steadied itself when the game started slipping away.
“We didn’t play our best brand of basketball in the first half, but that’s how things go,” said Brunson after the game. “It’s all about how you respond.
I like the way we competed, and I like how we played on both sides of the ball. We made a couple of mistakes, but they were aggressive.
We just have to make sure we’re being aggressive, nothing passive.”
That response showed up in the fourth quarter, when the Knicks pulled away by outscoring Chicago 43-31. The comeback wasn’t tidy, but it fit a pattern New York has leaned on before: when things get messy, it knows how to claw back. Brunson said that instinct is part of who they are, even if being in that spot isn’t the goal.
“You could say we’re comfortable, but it’s a position we do not want to be in,” Brunson added. “We found a way. I just like the way we compete, regardless of what happened in the first half, and we’re going to build on that.”
The night also carried a moment that had nothing to do with the score. Before heading to the locker room, Brunson stopped to honor Stacey King, the longtime Bulls announcer who recently died. Brunson spoke emotionally about knowing him from high school and made sure his family was in his thoughts.
“Can I say one thing? RIP Stacey King, who we lost recently.
A person I knew when I was in high school here,” said Brunson. “He supported our team…his kids went to Stevenson.
Just to see him not here today…My thoughts & prayers are with him & his family. We miss him.”
For the Knicks, the result eased some of the noise around the rough start. They still have problems to clean up, but Brunson’s performance was a reminder of the safety net they can fall back on. He can carry the offense when needed, and he did it again here.
The bigger issues remain in front of them. Mikal Bridges is still stuck in a brutal shooting slump, and the defense has to keep climbing back to the level the Knicks expect. But if Brunson stays healthy and those areas start to come together, New York has a path back to the standard it set last season.
In Other News...
Knicks Could Catch A Huge Break Against The 76ers
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For New York, the timing adds another layer to a meeting that already carries a bit of weight. A player sitting out because of soreness is hardly a guarantee, but it is the kind of late-breaking wrinkle that can reshape how a game is approached on both sides. The Knicks will be watching closely as the status report develops, knowing a break like this can change the tone of an opponents rotation in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Sent A Clear Rotation Message In Stunning Comeback Win
The comeback in Chicago did more than improve the Knicks record, it offered a quick look at how Mike Brown is willing to manage his new rotation. New York erased a 19-point hole and beat the Bulls 133-127, but the most eye-catching part of the win was Brown cutting into Mikal Bridges minutes while leaning on a bench group that brought energy, playmaking and shot-making when the game was slipping away.
Tyler Kolek, Jordan Clarkson and Landry Shamet combined for 41 points and 15 assists, a reminder that Brown is not afraid to search deeper into the roster when the situation calls for it. Jalen Brunson carried the offense with 38 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns added 19 points and 13 rebounds despite a brief injury scare, but the bigger question now is whether this kind of rotation flexibility is a one-night answer or a sign of how Brown sees the Knicks moving forward. [Read more 🡒]
Bulls Young Core Showed Real Progress In A Brutal Finish
The Bulls gave the Knicks a real test at the United Center, hanging around for much of a game that had the feel of an early-season measuring stick between two teams trying to sort out who they are. Chicagos young core brought energy and urgency, but the difference in the end came down to the Knicks looking steadier when the pressure rose, especially after a contest that stayed competitive deep into the fourth quarter.
Jalen Brunson did much of the finishing for New York, scoring 14 points in the final quarter and drilling three 3-pointers to help close the door on a 133-127 win. The Bulls had chances, but turnovers and inconsistent shooting kept them from fully cashing in on their effort, while the Knicks leaned on experience and timely shot-making to leave with a hard-earned victory. [Read more 🡒]