The New York Knicks defeated the Chicago Bulls 135-105 on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, behind Jalen Brunson’s game-high 33 points at Madison Square Garden. New York built a 32-point halftime lead, made 17 three-pointers and finished with a 57-34 rebounding advantage to move back to .500.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Knicks Take Control, 43-21
New York established the game’s direction immediately, outscoring Chicago by 22 points in the opening period. The Knicks’ 43-point quarter gave them a substantial cushion before the Bulls could find enough offense to keep pace.
Second Quarter: New York Extends Its Lead to 84-52
Chicago improved to 31 points in the second quarter, but New York answered with 41. The Knicks scored 84 points before halftime and extended their advantage to 32, leaving the Bulls facing a difficult second half.
Third Quarter: Knicks Maintain Their Advantage
The third period was more competitive, with New York edging Chicago 29-27. That pushed the Knicks’ lead to 113-79 entering the fourth quarter, their largest advantage at any quarter break.
Fourth Quarter: Bulls Win the Period, Knicks Secure the Result
Chicago outscored New York 26-22 in the final quarter, trimming four points from the deficit. The Knicks nevertheless finished with a comfortable 30-point victory in regulation before an announced crowd of 19,812.
Key Performers
- Jalen Brunson, Knicks: Led all scorers with 33 points, providing the top individual scoring performance in New York’s win.
- Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks: Led New York with 12 rebounds as the Knicks finished plus-23 on the boards.
- Tyler Kolek, Knicks: Paced the team with five assists. New York recorded 27 assists overall.
- Tre Jones, Bulls: Led Chicago with 14 points, though the Bulls could not match New York’s scoring output.
- Josh Giddey, Bulls: Registered a team-leading six assists.
- Leonard Miller, Bulls: Collected a team-high six rebounds.
NerdSports Stat: Both teams scored exactly 54 points on two-point field goals. New York’s advantages in three-point scoring, 51-30, and free throws, 30-21, combined to account for the entire 30-point final margin.
Game Analysis: Shooting and Rebounding Separate the Teams
The Knicks paired efficient shooting with a substantial rebounding edge. New York made 44 of 87 field-goal attempts, shooting 50.6%, while Chicago finished 37 of 96 for 38.5%. Although the Bulls attempted nine more shots, the Knicks made seven more baskets.
The difference was especially clear from three-point range. New York converted 17 of 40 attempts, or 42.5%, compared with Chicago’s 10 of 44, or 22.7%. The Knicks also earned more opportunities at the line, making 30 of 37 free throws while the Bulls went 21 of 28.
New York’s 57-34 rebounding advantage reinforced its control of the game. Chicago finished relatively close in assists, trailing 27-25, but that could not offset the gaps in shooting efficiency and rebounding. Most importantly, the Knicks established their advantage early: their 32-point halftime lead was larger than the eventual winning margin.
Closing Context: Knicks Return to .500
New York improved to 4-4 overall and 3-2 at home, while Chicago fell to 1-7 overall and 1-5 on the road. The Knicks next host the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, November 10, at 4:30 p.m. PST. The Bulls return home to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, November 8, at 12:30 p.m. PST, looking to improve their early-season position in the Eastern Conference.
Frequently Asked Questions
The New York Knicks defeated the Chicago Bulls 135-105 on November 4, 2026.
Jalen Brunson scored 33 points. His individual shooting percentage was not included in the supplied game statistics.
After the win, New York sits 4-4 in the Eastern Conference.
Jalen Brunson was the standout performer with a game-high 33 points in the Knicks’ 135-105 victory.
