Knicks
Time and time again, the Knicks have proven that no deficit is too big. Last night in Chicago, 24 hours after defeating the first-place Pistons, the Knicks overcame a 19-point third-quarter deficit to beat the Bulls 133-127.
The Knicks succeeded because of their bench, led by Jordan Clarkson, who didn’t play on Tuesday. Head coach Mike Brown saved him, and he answered the call with 18 points in under 17 minutes. He helped the Knicks’ bench outscore Chicago’s bench 48-33.
Landry Shamet added 14 points, including four three-pointers, and Tyler Kolek posted nine points and nine assists. The bench shot 10-for-21 (47.6%) from three-point range. But no Knick outperformed Jalen Brunson, who returned to the city where he went to high school for the first time since becoming a champion.
With his mentor Derrick Rose sitting courtside, Brunson scored a season-high 38 points, including six triples. Brunson struggled mightily from three-point range in his first four games, but he found his rhythm in familiar territory. The Brunson family is well-connected to Chicago.
Rose had two stints with the Knicks, including parts of the 2022-23 season, when Brunson arrived in New York City. Brunson credits Rose for mentoring him in high school and showing him the ropes in New York, an important step toward his stardom. Yesterday, he was glad he played well in front of his mentor.
“I was happy to be able to finally get over that hump,” Brunson said of his three-point shooting. “I feel like I was putting a lot of unnecessary commentary in my head. But seeing the ball go in the way it did, it put me out of my mental state and into a good flow.”
The Knicks didn’t arrive in Chicago until around 2:30 AM yesterday. That might be why they started so poorly. The first and second quarters were tight. The lead changed 18 times, but the Knicks trailed for the entire third quarter. They didn’t regain the lead until OG Anunoby’s layup with 9:02 remaining.
Chicago pulled back ahead before Clarkson tied it at 104 with 8:34 left. Then Leonard Miller hit a three, but Shamet tied it with another. Tim Jones nailed a jumper, and Brunson tied it at 109 from the right elbow. Clarkson stole the ball, and Shamet hit a corner three. Then Clarkson stole it again, ran it to the hoop, and put the Knicks up by five.
Clarkson and Brunson combined for 17 of the Knicks’ next 19 points, including 12 by Brunson, who scored 14 in the fourth quarter. Clarkson scored 12, and Kolek recorded five of the Knicks’ 11 fourth-quarter assists. Kolek and Brunson combined for 16 of the Knicks’ 32 assists overall.
“His will is unbelievable,” Brown said of Brunson. “His determination, man, it’s second to none. You look at this guy, and he’s not 6’7, he’s not athletic, he’s not quick. You can go down the line in natural physical tools that a lot of guys have.
“But his determination, his spirit, his competitive spirit, his will, his toughness, especially his mental toughness, but his physical toughness, too, added to his skillset, it makes him an unbelievable basketball player. An MVP-caliber basketball player. I hope he gets recognition for that this year.”
The Knicks have found their rhythm just in time for the NBA Cup, which begins tomorrow night against the 76ers, whom the Knicks lost to on Opening Night (7:30 PM, 6:30 PM CDT – Prime Video). The Knicks’ quest to avenge their 2025 NBA Cup title will begin with a heavyweight road battle against LeBron James & Co.
Schedule
8:15 PM (7:15 PM CDT): Thursday Night Football (TNF), Week 8 – Carolina Panthers (3-3) at Green Bay Packers (4-3); Prime Video
Cover Image Courtesy: New York Knicks
