Key Takeaways:
- Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 28 points and 11 rebounds for his NBA-leading 39th double-double on Sunday night
- The New York Knicks defeated the Chicago Bulls 105-99, handing Chicago a ninth consecutive loss
- Matas Buzelis led a late charge for Chicago before New York sealed their second straight victory
Match Overview
The Chicago Bulls suffered their ninth straight defeat as the New York Knicks emerged victorious, 105-99, at the United Center on Sunday night. Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a stellar performance, tallying 28 points and 11 rebounds to claim his NBA-best 39th double-double of the season. The win marks the Knicks’ second consecutive triumph.
leaving chicago with a DUB ‼️ pic.twitter.com/nN27HCiUFH
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 23, 2026
Decisive Fourth Quarter
After Chicago edged ahead 95-94 following a three-pointer from Matas Buzelis with 3:52 remaining, Towns responded decisively with six consecutive points. His scoring run included a three-pointer, a layup, and a free throw. Mikal Bridges later added a crucial three-pointer with 27 seconds left, while Jalen Brunson secured the result by converting two free throws in the closing moments.
Statistical Highlights
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karl-Anthony Towns | New York Knicks | 28 | 11 | 2 |
| Jalen Brunson | New York Knicks | 19 | 5 | 9 |
| Landry Shamet | New York Knicks | 16 | 2 | 0 |
| Matas Buzelis | Chicago Bulls | 15 | 4 | 0 |
| Jalen Smith | Chicago Bulls | 12 | 5 | 1 |
| Guerschon Yabusele | Chicago Bulls | 11 | 13 | 1 |
Game Flow and Player Availability
The Knicks recovered from an 18-point deficit in their previous outing to edge past Houston, and they carried that momentum into Sunday’s contest. This time, New York shot 44.7% from the field. The side surged ahead with a 21-10 run in the third quarter and established a 13-point advantage before entering the final period with an 83-78 lead. Chicago had led 53-52 at half-time.
Chicago were without guards Jaden Ivey and Anfernee Simons, who are both sidelined due to injury after arriving via the trade deadline. For New York, centre Mitchell Robinson was absent as part of left ankle injury management. Jalen Smith left the Bulls’ lineup in the third quarter, affected by right calf tightness.
Fixture Outlook
- Knicks: Travel to Cleveland on Tuesday night
- Bulls: Host Charlotte on Tuesday night
