In a swift turnaround, OG Anunoby returned to the court for the Knicks, exhibiting his trademark defensive prowess and opportunistic scoring in the second half against the Bulls.
However, despite their efforts, the Knicks found themselves trailing by 19 points at halftime, and despite a valiant comeback attempt, they ultimately fell short in the fourth quarter. The loss was exacerbated by Josh Hart’s ejection due to a controversial foul early in the game.
Jalen Brunson showcased heroics with an impressive 35-point, 11-assist performance, supported by solid contributions from Miles McBride, Isaiah Hartenstein, Mitchell Robinson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Bogdan Bogdanovic. Despite their resilience, the Knicks struggled with rebounding and defensive intensity, which ultimately proved decisive according to coach Tom Thibodeau.
The Knicks’ record now stands at 45-32, remaining tied for fourth place with Orlando and trailing Cleveland and Milwaukee. Meanwhile, Chicago’s victory bolsters their position in the playoff play-in race.
Key moments in the game included Chicago’s early dominance led by Ayo Dosunmu and Nikola Vucevic, as well as Javonte Green’s impactful performance off the bench, which was further highlighted by Josh Hart’s ejection following a contentious foul. Despite a spirited effort from the Knicks in the third quarter, led by Anunoby and Brunson, they couldn’t sustain the momentum, ultimately succumbing to DeMar DeRozan and Andre Drummond’s contributions for the Bulls.
Drummond’s dominant rebounding display played a significant role in Chicago’s victory, underscoring the Knicks’ struggles in controlling the boards. Despite glimpses of a comeback, the Knicks ultimately ran out of steam in the fourth quarter, allowing Chicago to secure the win with timely plays from DeRozan, Green, and Vucevic.
