Knicks 136, Bulls 96: New York rolls behind Anunoby

The New York Knicks defeated the Chicago Bulls 136-96 on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Madison Square Garden, with OG Anunoby leading all scorers with 31 points in a dominant home win. New York set the tone immediately, built a 37-point halftime lead, and never let Chicago back into the game.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

New York took control right away, outscoring Chicago 38-16 in an opening period that established the entire game script. The Knicks were sharp on both ends, moving the ball cleanly and limiting the Bulls to a low-output start. By the end of the quarter, Madison Square Garden had already seen the home side create significant separation.

Second Quarter

The Knicks kept the pressure on in the second, adding a 40-25 edge to take a 78-41 lead into halftime. New York continued to generate efficient offense, and its transition from stops to scoring chances helped widen the margin. Chicago had brief stretches of steadier offense, but it could not match the Knicks’ pace or shot-making.

Third Quarter

The Bulls played a more competitive third quarter and outscored New York 31-30, but the overall margin barely changed. Chicago found a bit more rhythm offensively, yet the Knicks had already done enough early work to stay fully in command. Any chance of a sustained comeback was limited by the size of the halftime deficit.

Fourth Quarter

New York finished the job with a 28-24 fourth quarter. The Knicks remained organized offensively and continued to control the glass, closing out a comfortable 40-point victory. Chicago never got the margin under serious pressure in the final 12 minutes.

Key Performers

OG Anunoby, Knicks: Anunoby led all scorers with 31 points and added eight rebounds, delivering the game’s most productive scoring line.

Jalen Brunson, Knicks: Brunson directed the offense with 10 assists, helping New York produce 30 total assists and maintain flow throughout the night.

Mitchell Robinson, Knicks: Robinson led New York with 11 rebounds as the Knicks finished with a 54-36 advantage on the glass.

Collin Sexton, Bulls: Sexton paced Chicago with 19 points, the highest total for a Bulls team that struggled to find efficient offense.

Tre Jones, Bulls: Jones contributed 13 points and eight assists, giving Chicago some structure in the backcourt even as the game got away early.

NerdSports Stat: The Knicks led 78-41 at halftime, meaning they nearly matched the Bulls’ entire final point total before the second half was even underway.

Game Analysis

This result was shaped by New York’s first-half execution. The Knicks shot 52.7% from the field, hit 15 of 39 from three-point range, and converted 25 of 28 free throws for an 89.3% mark. That level of efficiency, paired with strong rebounding and balanced playmaking, gave them control from the opening minutes.

The rebounding gap stood out. New York finished with 54 rebounds to Chicago’s 36, creating extra possessions and limiting the Bulls’ ability to build any sustained momentum. The Knicks also posted 30 assists, a sign of how well the ball moved across all four quarters.

Chicago’s numbers reflected the uphill climb. The Bulls shot 43.2% overall and 31.4% from beyond the arc while going 15-for-26 at the foul line. Falling behind 38-16 after one quarter and 78-41 by halftime made the margin difficult to manage, even with a better third quarter.

For New York, this was one of its more complete performances of the season: efficient scoring, a clear rebounding edge, and steady playmaking without any late-game stress. For Chicago, the game served as another reminder that slow starts on the road can quickly become impossible to overcome against a playoff-level opponent at home.

Closing Context

With the win, the Knicks improved to 50-28 and strengthened their position in the Eastern Conference playoff race while moving to 28-9 at home. The Bulls dropped to 29-48 and 11-27 on the road, leaving them with little margin as the regular season winds down. New York will look to carry this form into its final stretch, while Chicago will aim for a sharper start in its next outing.

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