The Knicks broke out of their early-game stoop in historic vogue.
They erupted for 84 factors in the first half of their 135-105 rout of the Bulls on Wednesday night time at Madison Square Garden. It tied a franchise report set on Nov. 18, 1988, against the 76ers.
But the Knicks really lost that sport, 137-135.
Wednesday, on the other hand, represented the Knicks’ finest and by far most full displaying of the season.
Jalen Brunson celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer during the Knicks’ 135-105 blowout win over the Bulls on Nov. 4, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The 84 factors were also the most the Knicks have ever scored in any half at the present Madison Square Garden.
“I really liked how we started out,” coach Mike Brown said. “Spacing the ground effectively, touching the paint, and then re-spacing too. Our re-spacing was actually fast and actually decisive. We had some nice, nice appears early on. And everybody performed effectively offensively.
“Our pace was pretty good, it’s something we’ve been talking about. Our offensive rebounding, for shooting a high percentage, was pretty good. Just a lot of good things.”
Entering Wednesday, the Knicks were averaging just 51.6 factors in first halves — the third-worst mark in the NBA and higher than only the Bucks and Nets. They were taking pictures a paltry 39.2 p.c from the subject in first halves — worst in the NBA.
OG Anunoby goes up for a layup during the Knicks’ win over the Bulls. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
It led to fixed deficits they had to battle back from.
But they shot 62.5 p.c (25-for-40) from the subject and 50 p.c (10-for-20) from 3-point vary during Wednesday’s first half and led by 32 at the break.
Jalen Brunson had 26 of these 84 first-half factors, going a red-hot 8-for-11 from the subject and 4-for-6 from 3-point vary. OG Anunoby added 18 first-half factors.
“Obviously, making 3s, but I think making our two-pointers are really important as well,” Brunson said. “… When you have it going, it feels good. Just trying to play off that and use your gravity to make plays. I feel like it really started on the defensive side of the ball, we were able to get stops and get out in transition.”
It also helped that the Knicks took a staggering 26 free throws in the first half — making 24 of them. Anunoby was 11-for-12 from the line in the first half, relentlessly attacking the rim.
The Bulls took just six first-half free throws, making 5.
The historic begin allowed for loads of late-game relaxation at a time the Knicks have talked about dealing with bodily fatigue given their quick offseason. All 5 starters sat the whole fourth quarter.
A pleasant luxurious thanks to an electrical begin.
“It was a really good half,” Brown said, “in terms of doing what we believe we should be doing offensively as our staples. Everybody was really good in those areas.”
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