Julius Randle’s stellar 35-point performance and Jalen Brunson’s double-double of 31 points and 13 assists led the New York Knicks to a convincing 116-100 victory over the Chicago Bulls during Wednesday’s NBA action.
OG Anunoby and Donte DiVincenzo contributed significantly for New York, each scoring 11 points, while Isaiah Hartenstein achieved a career-high 20 rebounds, alongside 10 points and five blocks. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau attributed the win to simple plays and effective offense.
“We started making simple plays,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “And when we do that, we’re pretty good offensively.”
Hartenstein emphasized his versatility and confidence in playing his role on the team, acknowledging his scoring ability but focusing on team needs.
“Everyone in this league was always a scorer at one time, and I know I can score if I need to,” Hartenstein said. “But, at the end of the day, I just do what the team needs. I always believed in myself and could play this role. I just go out there and play with confidence.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks, DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls Updates
DeMar DeRozan led with 28 points for Chicago, and Colby White contributed 26. However, the Bulls were without key players Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine, who were sidelined due to injuries.
With Alex Caruso’s three-pointer, Chicago initially held the lead, pushing them ahead by 10 points late in the first half. However, the Knicks closed the gap to four points by halftime and quickly regained the lead in the second half. New York extended their lead several times in the third quarter and maintained it going into the fourth.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks, DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls Updates
The Bulls narrowed the deficit to just one point on a three-pointer by DeRozan, but the Knicks responded with a 9-2 run and eventually sealed the victory with an 11-point scoring streak. Cach Billy Donovan acknowledged missed opportunities and praised the performance of Randle and Brunson.
“We had opportunities to make some plays, and we didn’t make enough, and Randle and Brunson really played well down the stretch,” Donovan said. “We just couldn’t convert enough of our opportunities.”
Looking ahead, the Bulls will host the Charlotte Hornets, while the Knicks face a challenging game against the Philadelphia 76ers on the road, both scheduled for Friday night.
