The New York Knicks delivered a statement win on February 22, 2026, overcoming the Chicago Bulls 105-99 at the United Center in a matchup that showcased shifting fortunes for both Eastern Conference franchises. With playoff implications on the line for New York and a rebuilding project underway in Chicago, the contest provided plenty of drama, big-time performances, and a late-game surge that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.
Karl-Anthony Towns, fresh off his All-Star selection despite a challenging shooting season, led the charge for the Knicks with 28 points and 11 rebounds, notching his NBA-leading 39th double-double of the campaign. Towns' impact was particularly felt in the closing minutes, where he rattled off six consecutive points—draining a three-pointer, finishing a layup, and converting a free throw—to flip a precarious 95-94 deficit into a Knicks advantage with just under four minutes left in regulation.
"Towns scored six straight points—on a 3-pointer, a layup, and free throw—after Chicago took a 95-94 lead with 3:52 left in regulation on Matas Buzelis' 3," reported the Associated Press. The Bulls, who had led by a single point after Buzelis' timely triple, simply could not keep pace with New York's late-game execution.
Jalen Brunson, the Knicks' dynamic point guard and offensive engine, contributed 19 points and nine assists, showing once again why he has become one of the league's premier closers. Brunson's poise was on full display in the game's waning moments, as he calmly knocked down two free throws to seal the victory after Mikal Bridges buried a clutch three-pointer with 27 seconds remaining. Landry Shamet also provided a critical spark off the bench, chipping in 16 points and connecting on four of his eight attempts from beyond the arc.
The Knicks' offensive rhythm was a testament to the system installed by head coach Mike Brown, whose "read-and-react" motion offense has transformed New York into one of the NBA's most efficient scoring teams. Entering the night, the Knicks held the league's third-highest offensive rating at 119.9, and while shooting woes have plagued Towns throughout the year, the team found timely contributions up and down the roster.
New York's supporting cast was essential in this one. Josh Hart stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, while OG Anunoby, recently cleared from a toe injury, added nine points and matched Hart's nine boards. Mikal Bridges, as always, provided elite perimeter defense and added 11 points with three triples. Off the bench, Jose Alvarado and Jeremy Sochan injected energy and defensive grit, with Alvarado posting five points, four rebounds, and two assists.
The victory pushed the Knicks to a 37-21 record, further solidifying their hold on the Eastern Conference's third seed as they eye a deep postseason run. The win also marked New York's second straight, coming on the heels of a dramatic 108-106 comeback over Houston, where they erased an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit.
For the Bulls, the loss extended their skid to nine games—their longest since a 10-game slide in January 2019—and underscored the growing pains of a team in transition. Chicago entered the contest with a 24-33 record, twelfth in the East, and has been navigating a radical roster overhaul since the trade deadline. Franchise mainstays Coby White, Nikola Vucevic, and Ayo Dosunmu were all moved in a deadline "fire sale," signaling an all-in approach to rebuilding and a strategic pursuit of a top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Despite the adversity, Chicago showed flashes of promise. Matas Buzelis, one of the Bulls' new cornerstones, led the team with 15 points, including the pivotal three-pointer that briefly gave Chicago the lead in the fourth. Jalen Smith, another new addition, tallied 12 points before departing in the third quarter with right calf tightness. Isaac Okoro contributed 12 points, while Guerschon Yabusele delivered a double-double off the bench with 11 points and 13 rebounds. The Bulls were forced to play without injured guards Jaden Ivey and Anfernee Simons, both recent trade acquisitions.
The game itself was a back-and-forth affair. Chicago led 53-52 at halftime, buoyed by energetic play from its young core. But the third quarter belonged to the Knicks, who unleashed a 21-10 run to seize a 13-point lead and carried an 83-78 edge into the final frame. New York's ability to weather Chicago's runs and respond with timely baskets proved decisive, as did their defense down the stretch.
Team statistics told the story of a hard-fought battle. The Knicks shot 45.2% from the field (38-of-84) and 35.7% from three-point range (15-of-42), while the Bulls hit 39.5% of their shots (34-of-86) and 34.8% from deep (16-of-46). New York held a slim edge on the glass, out-rebounding Chicago 58-55, and moved the ball well, tallying 27 assists to the Bulls' 24. Both teams took care of the ball for the most part, but New York's nine steals and four blocks helped tilt the defensive battle in their favor.
Head-to-head, the win gave the Knicks a crucial edge in the season series, which had been split through four previous meetings—each characterized by high-scoring affairs and offensive fireworks. The "over" continued its trend, hitting in nearly 85% of these matchups, but this time it was New York's late-game defense and execution that made the difference.
Looking ahead, the Knicks will travel to Cleveland for a key matchup against the Cavaliers on February 24, while the Bulls will seek to halt their skid as they host the Charlotte Hornets the same night. With the playoff race heating up and the draft lottery looming for Chicago, both teams face pivotal weeks ahead.
For New York, the win was another sign that Mike Brown's system and the team's roster moves—such as acquiring Jose Alvarado and Jeremy Sochan—are paying off at just the right time. For Chicago, the growing pains are undeniable, but so is the potential of their new-look squad. One thing's for sure: the Eastern Conference continues to deliver intrigue, and both the Knicks and Bulls will be teams to watch as the season barrels toward its dramatic conclusion.