Kemerosotan Skor Knicks Baru-baru Ini Melawan Chicago Adalah Kekhawatiran Besar
The Knicks' Troubling Offensive Identity Crisis Against Chicago
The numbers don't lie, and right now, they're telling a story that should deeply concern everyone in Madison Square Garden. The New York Knicks' recent scoring performances against the Chicago Bulls reveal a franchise caught between two identities—one that can grind out defensive victories, and another that's alarmingly vulnerable to offensive explosions. This isn't just about wins and losses; it's about a fundamental inconsistency that could derail championship aspirations.
When the Knicks eked out a 105-99 victory over Chicago on February 22, 2026, the immediate reaction was relief. Karl-Anthony Towns secured his double-double, the defense held firm down the stretch, and New York escaped with two points in the win column. But strip away the final score, and you're left with a troubling reality: 105 points against a Bulls team that entered the game with a losing record and defensive metrics ranking in the bottom third of the league represents a significant offensive failure.
This isn't an isolated incident. It's part of a disturbing pattern that exposes the Knicks' inability to establish a consistent offensive rhythm against Chicago's defensive schemes, while simultaneously showing their vulnerability to the Bulls' offensive firepower when it ignites.
Dissecting the February Struggle: A Tactical Breakdown
The February 22nd matchup revealed several critical weaknesses in New York's offensive execution. Despite Towns' presence in the paint and Jalen Brunson's playmaking abilities, the Knicks managed just 105 points—a figure that translates to approximately 1.05 points per possession, well below the league average of 1.14 points per possession this season.
The offensive stagnation stemmed from three primary factors:
- Perimeter shooting collapse: New York shot just 28.6% from three-point range, converting only 10 of 35 attempts. This forced the offense into predictable mid-range and paint attacks that Chicago's defense could load up against.
- Ball movement breakdown: The Knicks recorded only 19 assists on 39 field goals, indicating excessive isolation play and a failure to generate open looks through team basketball.
- Transition opportunities squandered: New York managed just 11 fast-break points, allowing Chicago to set their defense and eliminate easy scoring chances.
Towns' double-double, while statistically impressive, came on 8-of-19 shooting—a 42.1% clip that reflects the contested looks he faced throughout the night. When your primary offensive weapon is forced into difficult shots, it cascades through the entire offensive system, creating pressure on secondary scorers who aren't equipped to carry that burden consistently.
The October Massacre: When Chicago's Offense Exposed Everything
To understand the full scope of New York's problems against Chicago, we must revisit October 31, 2025—a night that should still haunt Tom Thibodeau's defensive schemes. The Bulls' 135-125 victory wasn't just a loss; it was a systematic dismantling of everything the Knicks claim to prioritize defensively.
Josh Giddey's 32-point, 10-rebound, 9-assist near-triple-double represented the kind of complete offensive performance that exposes defensive vulnerabilities at every level. Giddey operated as a point-forward maestro, exploiting mismatches in pick-and-roll coverage, finding cutters when the Knicks over-helped, and punishing closeouts with confident drives to the rim.
Nikola Vucevic's 26 points added another dimension to Chicago's offensive assault. The veteran center consistently won his matchups in the post, drew fouls at critical moments, and stretched the floor with his mid-range shooting. When your opponent's center is operating as both a post threat and a floor spacer, it creates impossible defensive math—you can't protect the paint without surrendering perimeter looks.
The 135 points Chicago scored represented a 1.35 points per possession efficiency rate—elite territory that typically belongs to the league's top offensive teams. For context, that's better than the Boston Celtics' season average and comparable to the offensive output of the Denver Nuggets at their peak. The Bulls achieved this through:
- Exceptional ball movement: 31 assists on 49 field goals, demonstrating unselfish play and excellent shot creation
- Three-point barrage: 16-of-34 from beyond the arc (47.1%), with multiple players contributing to the long-range assault
- Transition dominance: 24 fast-break points, consistently beating New York's defense down the floor
- Paint penetration: 58 points in the paint, overwhelming the Knicks' interior defense
This wasn't a fluke performance or a night where everything miraculously fell for Chicago. It was a calculated offensive attack that identified and exploited specific weaknesses in New York's defensive structure—weaknesses that remain largely unaddressed five months later.
The Broader Pattern: Inconsistency as Identity
The Knicks' 6-4 record in their last 10 games against Chicago tells a story of mediocrity disguised as competitiveness. Yes, they've won three of the last five matchups, but the manner of these victories and losses reveals a team without a clear identity when facing the Bulls' specific challenges.
Consider the scoring variance: In wins, the Knicks have averaged 106.3 points per game against Chicago. In losses, they've surrendered an average of 128.5 points. This 22.2-point differential in scoring allowed represents one of the largest defensive swings against any single opponent this season. It suggests that when Chicago's offense finds its rhythm, New York has no effective countermeasure.
The offensive inconsistency is equally troubling. The Knicks' inability to consistently score above 110 points against a Bulls defense that ranks 22nd in defensive rating (115.8) indicates fundamental problems with offensive execution, shot creation, and role player production. When Brunson and Towns face increased defensive attention—as they inevitably do in crucial moments—the supporting cast has repeatedly failed to step up.
Role Player Production: The Missing Ingredient
Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, and Miles McBride have combined to average just 28.4 points per game in the last five matchups against Chicago—well below their season averages against other opponents. This drop-off in secondary scoring forces excessive burden on the primary stars and makes the offense predictable and easier to defend.
The three-point shooting from role players has been particularly concerning, with the trio combining to shoot just 31.2% from beyond the arc against the Bulls compared to 36.8% against the rest of the league. In today's NBA, where floor spacing is paramount, this kind of perimeter shooting decline creates a domino effect that compromises the entire offensive system.
Defensive Scheme Vulnerabilities
Tom Thibodeau built his reputation on defensive excellence, but Chicago's offensive success against New York exposes specific vulnerabilities in his scheme. The Bulls have consistently exploited three areas:
- Pick-and-roll coverage: Chicago's guards have repeatedly turned the corner against New York's drop coverage, forcing help rotations that leave shooters open on the perimeter
- Transition defense: The Knicks' offensive rebounding aggression often leaves them vulnerable to fast breaks, and Chicago has capitalized with devastating efficiency
- Perimeter closeouts: When New York's defense rotates to contest shots, the closeouts have been too aggressive, allowing Chicago's shooters to attack off the dribble or find open teammates
These aren't minor technical issues—they're fundamental problems that require either personnel changes or significant scheme adjustments. The fact that they've persisted across multiple games suggests a deeper incompatibility between New York's defensive philosophy and Chicago's offensive approach.
The Championship Implications
In isolation, struggles against one specific team might seem like a minor concern. But the issues the Bulls expose in the Knicks' game plan are the same vulnerabilities that elite playoff teams will attack relentlessly. Boston's offensive versatility, Milwaukee's pick-and-roll excellence, and Philadelphia's star power all present similar challenges to what Chicago brings—just with higher-level execution.
If New York can't consistently score above 105 points against a middle-tier defensive team, how will they fare in a seven-game series against the Celtics' top-five defense? If they surrender 135 points to Chicago's offense, what happens when they face the offensive firepower of the Nuggets or the Warriors?
The Knicks' championship window is open now, with Towns in his prime and Brunson establishing himself as an elite lead guard. But windows close quickly in the NBA, and the inconsistencies revealed in this Bulls matchup suggest that significant adjustments are needed before this team can legitimately compete for a title.
Looking Ahead: Necessary Adjustments
For the Knicks to address these concerns before the playoffs, several changes must occur:
Offensive adjustments: New York needs to increase ball movement and generate more three-point attempts from quality looks. The current offense relies too heavily on mid-range shots and isolation plays that become increasingly difficult in playoff settings. Implementing more off-ball screening actions and utilizing Towns as a facilitator from the high post could unlock better spacing and shot quality.
Defensive scheme flexibility: Thibodeau must show willingness to adjust his drop coverage in pick-and-roll situations, particularly against guards who can consistently turn the corner. Switching more aggressively on the perimeter and trusting Towns to protect the rim from a help position could prevent the easy penetration that has plagued this matchup.
Role player development: The coaching staff needs to create more opportunities for secondary scorers to find rhythm early in games. Waiting until the fourth quarter to involve role players in the offense creates pressure situations where they're expected to perform without having touched the ball consistently throughout the game.
The next time these teams meet, expect Chicago to attack with the same offensive principles that generated 135 points in October. The question is whether New York will have made the necessary adjustments to prevent another defensive collapse while simultaneously finding the offensive consistency to score efficiently. Based on current trends, the answer remains troublingly uncertain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do the Knicks struggle to score consistently against the Bulls?
The Knicks' scoring struggles against Chicago stem from a combination of poor perimeter shooting, limited ball movement, and the Bulls' ability to take away New York's primary offensive actions. Chicago's defense has effectively neutralized the Knicks' pick-and-roll game by going under screens on Brunson and forcing New York into contested mid-range shots. Additionally, role players like DiVincenzo and Hart have shot significantly below their season averages from three-point range in this matchup, eliminating the floor spacing necessary for efficient offense. When the Knicks can't threaten from beyond the arc, Chicago's defense can pack the paint and make life difficult for Towns and Brunson.
How did the Bulls score 135 points against a Tom Thibodeau-coached defense?
Chicago's 135-point explosion on October 31, 2025, resulted from exploiting specific weaknesses in New York's defensive scheme. Josh Giddey consistently turned the corner in pick-and-roll situations against the Knicks' drop coverage, forcing help rotations that left shooters open on the perimeter. The Bulls also dominated in transition with 24 fast-break points, capitalizing on New York's aggressive offensive rebounding that left them vulnerable to quick strikes. Additionally, Chicago shot 47.1% from three-point range and recorded 31 assists, demonstrating exceptional ball movement that created open looks. The Knicks' perimeter closeouts were too aggressive, allowing Bulls players to attack off the dribble or find open teammates for easy baskets.
Should Knicks fans be concerned about these trends heading into the playoffs?
Yes, these trends should raise legitimate concerns about the Knicks' playoff readiness. The issues Chicago exposes—defensive vulnerability to ball movement and penetration, offensive inconsistency, and poor role player production—are the same weaknesses that elite playoff teams will attack relentlessly. Playoff basketball requires the ability to adjust schemes, maintain defensive intensity for seven-game series, and generate efficient offense against set defenses. The Knicks' inability to consistently score above 105 points against a middle-tier defense and their surrender of 135 points to Chicago's offense suggest they're not yet equipped to compete with the league's best teams in high-stakes playoff environments. However, there's still time for adjustments before the postseason begins.
What specific adjustments should Tom Thibodeau make to fix these problems?
Thibodeau needs to implement several key adjustments. Defensively, he should consider switching more aggressively on perimeter pick-and-rolls rather than relying exclusively on drop coverage, which allows guards like Giddey to turn the corner and create advantages. The Knicks also need to improve transition defense by having at least two players sprint back immediately after offensive possessions rather than crashing the offensive glass so aggressively. Offensively, New York must increase ball movement and generate more three-point attempts from quality looks. This could involve using Towns as a facilitator from the high post, implementing more off-ball screening actions for shooters, and running more pick-and-roll variations that create advantages before the defense is set. Finally, role players need earlier involvement in the offense to establish rhythm rather than being asked to perform in pressure situations without consistent touches.
How does Karl-Anthony Towns' performance against Chicago compare to his overall season?
Towns' performance against Chicago has been notably less efficient than his overall season numbers. In the February 22nd matchup, he shot just 42.1% from the field (8-of-19), well below his season average of approximately 50% shooting. While he consistently secures double-doubles against the Bulls, the quality of his looks has been compromised by Chicago's defensive attention and the lack of floor spacing created by poor perimeter shooting from teammates. Towns has also struggled to impact the game as a facilitator in this matchup, with his assist numbers dropping compared to games against other opponents. The Bulls have effectively neutralized his three-point shooting by running him off the line and forcing him into contested mid-range shots and post-ups against physical defenders. For the Knicks to succeed against Chicago, Towns needs better support from role players to create the spacing that allows him to operate efficiently.