Madison Square Garden turned into a one-sided showcase on Friday night, as the New York Knicks blasted the Chicago Bulls 136-96 and locked in their third straight 50-win regular season. OG Anunoby headlined the blowout with a 31-point outburst, burying seven 3-pointers while the Knicks jumped in front early and never eased off the gas. New York roared into halftime up 78-41 and cruised through a drama-free second half.
Anunoby’s shooting display
According to the Associated Press, Anunoby went 9-for-15 from the field and 7-for-10 from beyond the arc, setting the tone for the Knicks’ scoring barrage. New York’s early burst, including a 20-1 run right out of the gate, shoved the Bulls into a deep hole and kept them chasing the game from the opening minutes.
Box score and clinch
Per the official box score on RealGM, the victory pushed New York to 50-28, securing a 50-win campaign for the third consecutive season. Jalen Brunson posted 17 points and 10 assists, while Mitchell Robinson chipped in 17 points and 11 rebounds in limited minutes, production that helped the Knicks stretch and then maintain their lead in every quarter.
Coach and players react
Head coach Mike Brown praised the group’s edge and unselfish play afterward, saying, “I thought the guys were really good with that... playing with a sense of urgency,” as reported by the New York Post. Brunson pointed to the blistering start as a key factor, and Josh Hart emphasized that despite the lopsided score, the team still sees plenty to tighten up.
What’s next
The Knicks are slated to visit Atlanta on Monday night as the regular season winds down, a matchup the team will use to fine-tune its rotation heading into the postseason, according to the Associated Press. The blowout win gave New York a timely boost as it closes out the schedule and zeroes in on playoff seeding.
