Knicks rout Bulls 135-105 as rookie Caleb Wilson sits late
Chicago's defense fell apart in New York, allowing a franchise record 84 points in the first half while Josh Giddey sought stability.
By Carlos Rousseau ·
The New York Knicks dismantled the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night, winning 135 to 105 at Madison Square Garden. The defeat extended Chicago's season record to 1 win and 7 losses. The Bulls allowed the defending champions to score freely for the entire four quarters, failing to contain the opponent's offense at any point in the game.
The Knicks established a commanding lead in the opening period. They outscored Chicago 43 to 21 in the first quarter. The visitors shot 65.2 percent from the field during that span, going 15 for 23. Final MVP Jalen Brunson scored 22 points in the first quarter alone. The Knicks continued their scoring barrage in the second half, tying a franchise record by scoring 84 points before halftime. They shot 59 percent from the floor during that two-quarter stretch, allowing Chicago to hold them to only 41 points.
Josh Giddey provided a modest offensive contribution in an otherwise dark performance for the Bulls. He finished with 10 points and 6 assists. The Australian guard hit three of his first four shots. He is currently averaging 9.1 points, 7.9 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game this season. His three-point shooting percentage stands at 26.9 percent. Last season, Giddey averaged 17 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game while shooting 36.4 percent from deep.
Coach Tiago Splitter rotated Giddey with the second unit, a move that showed early promise. Giddey stated that the team is heading in the right direction and performing the correct actions. He noted that wins will begin to accumulate as the squad adjusts. The guard acknowledged the difficulty of the schedule but emphasized the need for consistent effort against both top teams and lower-ranked opponents.
"I wouldn't say there are any nights in the NBA where you're like, 'Ah, it's a walkover, '" Giddey said. "Especially a group like us where we feel like we can be competitive any night but we feel like we can also lose any night, so we got to come in with the right attitude."
Rookie Caleb Wilson, the No. 4 overall pick, struggled to find a rhythm in the loss. Wilson scored five points and displayed inconsistent body language on the court. Splitter decided to pull the 20-year-old from the game after the third quarter and did not bring him back for the final period.
Splitter criticized Wilson's performance, citing issues with offense, defense, and physical demeanor. The coach stated that Wilson was not executing the required tasks and needed to improve. He described the session as a learning moment for the young player who must adapt quickly to the professional level.
The Bulls defense remained a primary concern for Splitter. The team allowed the Knicks to shoot efficiently throughout the night. Splitter indicated that Giddey needed to be more aggressive and play to his natural strengths. The coach believes the current rotation is taking steps toward better efficiency, even if the win column has not yet reflected the improvement.
Chicago faces a challenging stretch of games as it seeks to build momentum. The team aims to use these tough matchups to develop resilience. Giddey and the rest of the roster are tasked with maintaining composure and executing the game plan regardless of the opponent's standing.
