Knicks' Recent Win Over Bulls Hides a Bigger Scoring Problem

Bulls Still Own the Recent Scoring Bragging Rights

Look, the Knicks pulled out a 105-99 win against the Bulls on February 22, 2026. Karl-Anthony Towns put up 28 points and 11 rebounds in that one. Jalen Brunson is averaging 26.1 points per game for New York, which is solid, but it doesn't tell the whole story when you look at the head-to-head scoring.

Thing is, the Bulls absolutely lit up the Knicks just a few months earlier, winning 135-125 on October 31, 2025. That’s a 10-point margin, and a 135-point outburst against a team like the Knicks? That's not just a good night; that’s a clinic. Josh Giddey had a career-high 32 points in that game, and Nikola Vucevic added 26. That kind of offensive firepower demands attention, especially for a scoring analyst like me.

Knicks' Offensive Output Still Feels Flimsy

Sure, the Knicks got the W last time out. But a 105-point performance is not exactly setting the world on fire when you consider what the Bulls just dropped on them. The 135-125 game showed that Chicago has the capability to explode offensively, making New York’s recent 105 points look a bit… pedestrian. You need to be able to answer those kind of scoring runs, and relying on Brunson and Towns isn't always enough.

Here's my hot take: Despite the recent win, the Knicks are still struggling to consistently hit the kind of offensive numbers that truly make them a threat. That 135-point game from the Bulls isn't just an anomaly; it's a blueprint for how to dismantle the Knicks' defense, regardless of who's scoring for them. New York needs to figure out how to generate more efficient scoring opportunities, not just rely on individual brilliance.

My bold prediction: Unless the Knicks drastically improve their offensive efficiency, the Bulls will continue to find ways to exploit their defense and put up big numbers in their future matchups, even if New York sneaks out a few close wins.