Jalen Brunson scored 22 of his 33 points in the first quarter Wednesday night as the host New York Knicks got to .500 for the first time this season by routing the Chicago Bulls 135-105.
The Knicks led 84-52 at halftime as they tied the franchise record for points in a first half. New York had 84 points before halftime of a 137-135 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 18, 1988.
Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 17 points and 12 rebounds and OG Anunoby tied a career high by sinking 11 free throws on his way to collecting 18 points for the defending NBA champion Knicks, who have won four of five following an 0-3 start.
Jordan Clarkson and Dalton Knecht added 10 points apiece off the bench for New York, which shot 50.6% from the floor and 42.5% (17 of 40) from 3-point range.
Reserves Tre Jones and Jaylin Sellers scored 14 points apiece for the Bulls, who have lost seven of their first eight and the past six in a row. Matas Buzelis and Norman Powell had 12 points each while Josh Giddey finished with 10 points and six assists.
The Bulls held a pair of early leads before Brunson and Anunoby combined on an 8-0 run to put the Knicks ahead for good at 12-6. Brunson’s 3-pointer put New York ahead by double digits for good at 22-10 with 5:37 left in the first quarter.
The Knicks opened their first 20-plus-point lead at 38-16 on Clarkson’s 3-pointer with 1:13 remaining in the period before ending the quarter with a 43-21 lead. Towns sank all three free throws to put New York ahead by 30-plus points for good at 73-41 with 2:52 left in the half.
Miles McBride’s four-point play with 3:23 left in the third gave the Knicks their biggest lead at 111-67. New York carried a 113-79 edge into the fourth.
