The New York Knicks delivered one of their most complete performances of the young season, routing the Chicago Bulls 135-105 at Madison Square Garden on November 5, 2026. New York combined efficient outside shooting with dominant interior play, turning a competitive first half into a lopsided result with a decisive third-quarter surge. The final score reflected both the Knicks’ depth and the Bulls’ inability to sustain execution on both ends.

Match overview

The Knicks set the tone early with a 34-27 first quarter, using Jalen Brunson’s shot creation and Karl-Anthony Towns’ inside-out scoring to stretch Chicago’s defense. The Bulls stayed within striking distance through the second period, but New York’s 31-point quarter helped it carry a nine-point lead into halftime. The game broke open after the break.

• First quarter: Knicks 34, Bulls 27
• Second quarter: Knicks 31, Bulls 29
• Third quarter: Knicks 38, Bulls 22
• Fourth quarter: Knicks 32, Bulls 27
• Final: Knicks 135, Bulls 105

Key moments

The defining stretch came midway through the third quarter. With New York leading by 11, Brunson orchestrated an 18-4 run that featured two transition layups from Mikal Bridges, a corner three from OG Anunoby, and a pair of pick-and-roll finishes from Towns. Chicago called two timeouts during the burst but could not slow the Knicks’ ball movement. By the end of the period, the lead had ballooned beyond 20 points and the Garden crowd was fully engaged.

The Bulls briefly threatened early in the fourth behind Coby White’s shot-making, but New York answered with bench energy from Josh Hart and Miles McBride. A Hart offensive rebound and putback followed by a McBride three-pointer ended any realistic comeback hopes.

Tactical story

New York’s offensive balance was the story of the night. The Knicks generated clean looks from beyond the arc while also punishing Chicago in the paint, finishing with a sizable advantage in points in the paint and second-chance points. Brunson’s command of the pick-and-roll repeatedly forced the Bulls into rotation decisions, and Towns capitalized against smaller defenders. Defensively, New York contested Chicago’s perimeter shots and forced 17 turnovers, many of which turned into transition opportunities.

Chicago’s half-court offense became too reliant on individual shot creation. Josh Giddey found some success as a playmaker, and Matas Buzelis showed flashes of energy, but the Bulls struggled to string together stops. The visitors were also hurt by cold stretches from three-point range, which allowed New York to build separation once the pace increased.

Standout players

• Jalen Brunson (NYK): 28 points, 9 assists, controlled tempo throughout.
• Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK): 24 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, dominant in the paint.
• Mikal Bridges (NYK): 20 points, several key transition baskets.
• OG Anunoby (NYK): 17 points and strong perimeter defense.
• Josh Hart (NYK): 10 points, 11 rebounds, multiple momentum plays.
• Coby White (CHI): 21 points to lead Chicago.
• Josh Giddey (CHI): 17 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists.
• Matas Buzelis (CHI): 15 points and active minutes off the bench.

Season impact

The victory gives New York another quality home result and reinforces its position in the Eastern Conference standings. The Knicks have looked increasingly comfortable blending Brunson’s isolation scoring with Towns’ post presence and a deep wing rotation. For Chicago, the loss highlights the gap between competitive stretches and full 48-minute execution. The Bulls will need better three-point shooting and more consistent defensive communication as they move through the schedule.

For NBA fans tracking results and head-to-head context, this game stands as a clear example of New York’s ceiling when its stars are efficient and its bench contributes. The Knicks’ 135-point outburst was not just a hot shooting night; it was a product of tempo, spacing, and defensive pressure that turned a solid start into a statement win.