Jalen Brunson saw red and gouged the Bulls. 

Then his teammates feasted on the carcass. 

Brunson dropped 22 of his 33 points in the first quarter of a 135-105 Bull-dozing Wednesday night at MSG, an emphatic victory that will, at least temporarily, quiet the criticisms of New York’s sputtering offense to start their title defense. 

“That was as close to a 48-minute game as our group has had yet,” coach Mike Brown said. 

The Knicks (4-4), winners of four of their last five games, tied a 38-year-old franchise record with 84 points in the first half, shooting 63 percent before the break — including 50 percent from beyond the arc. 

The game was essentially sealed in the second quarter with New York’s 37-point advantage. 

Jalen Brunson, who scored a game-high 33 points, drives to the basket after getting a pick by Karl-Anthony Towns during the Knicks’ 135-105 win over the Bulls on Nov. 4, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

“It was a really good half, in terms of doing what we believe, what we should be doing offensively as our staples,” Brown said. “Everybody was really good in those areas.” 

Brunson shot 10-for-17 as the Knicks won his 28 minutes by 33 points. 

“When you have it going, it feels good,” Brunson said. “And then just trying to play off that and using my gravity to get teammates involved.” 

Brunson entered the evening shooting under 40 percent but had no problems hitting his attempts Wednesday. 

OG Anunoby, who scored 18 points, slams home a dunk during the Knicks’ win over the Bulls. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

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“He’s obviously missed some shots but he took the same shots tonight that he’s been taking,” Brown said. “And, we felt we’ve gotten some good shots in previous games that just haven’t gone down. 

“But the good part about it is, they went down tonight, and we defended. A great game by him as well as everybody else.” 

Karl-Anthony Towns added 17 points and 12 rebounds. OG Anunoby had 18 points with three steals and 11 converted free throws. 

Karl-Anthony Towns shoots over Jalen Smith during the Knicks’ blowout win over the Bulls. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

The Knicks lived at the foul line, going 30-for-37, as the refs operated as if they were paid by the whistle. The teams combined for 65 free throws. 

All the Knicks starters were pulled for extended garbage time, which was the entire fourth quarter. 

The landslide victory followed the Knicks’ much closer win in Chicago about a week prior, when Brunson went off for 38 points. He must enjoy the matchup against the Bulls (1-7), who were a defensive calamity Wednesday and projected as one of the NBA’s worst this season. 

Before the onslaught, the Knicks were in a scoring rut, falling to 21st in the NBA in offensive rating — a position unbecoming of reigning champs. 

Josh Hart, who sat out Wednesday’s victory with ankle soreness, said the team hadn’t yet recovered from a short and celebratory offseason. 

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts after hitting a 3-point shot against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden in New York, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

“I think it’s a tough spot. It’s kinda like a little conundrum because obviously we played into mid-June. Then in the summer, obviously you’re working out, you’re doing that, but you also are enjoying the fruits of the labor of winning in terms of going to brand [appearances]. Off the court, it’s kind of booming for you,” said Hart, who was replaced in the lineup by Landry Shamet (seven points, 24 minutes). “So, you’re doing all of that, so that takes a little bit of a wear on you. And then you get into it. So, sometimes the body has to kinda catch up.” 

The Knicks looked all caught up Wednesday. Next up is a little tougher matchup: at Cleveland (4-4) on Saturday.