Knicks Rally Past Bulls as Brunson's 38 Exposes Chicago's Late-Game Defense

October 31, 2026 - 03:28

Jalen Brunson put up 38 points as the Knicks came from behind to beat the Bulls, and the final scoreline flattered Chicago in a game that slipped away in the closing minutes. Brunson was the engine of the comeback, attacking off the dribble and hitting tough shots when New York needed them most. The Bulls had answers for three quarters but ran out of them down the stretch.

The bigger story is Chicago's fourth-quarter defense. The Bulls gave up open looks on consecutive possessions, lost track of shooters on the perimeter, and let Brunson get to his spots without resistance. What had been a manageable deficit turned into a loss because the stops simply stopped coming. This is not a one-game problem either. Late-game execution on the defensive end has been a recurring issue, and opponents are starting to exploit it.

Chicago's coaching staff has to make adjustments now. Whether that means tighter rotations, better communication on switches, or simply holding players accountable for effort, the fix cannot wait. The offense is doing enough to keep games close. The defense is what keeps letting them go. Until the Bulls learn to close out quarters with the same intensity they start them, nights like this will keep piling up.