ESPN and the New York Post spent Thursday on Jalen Brunson's 38 in Chicago and on a bench that outplayed Mikal Bridges. The box score backs most of it, and Philadelphia comes next with no rest in between.
Brunson Owns Chicago
ESPN and the New York Post's Stefan Bondy both led with Brunson erasing a 19-point deficit. The line holds up. He scored 38 on 13-of-25 shooting, hit 6 of 10 threes and scored 14 in the fourth quarter. The Knicks trailed 68-87 late in the third, ripped off an 11-0 run and won the fourth 43-31. On a night of 18 lead changes, the closer settled it.
Bridges Takes a Seat
Bondy reported that Bridges was benched while the reserves came up big. Posting and Toasting's Russell Richardson built his recap around the bench minutes too. The numbers agree. Bridges played 13 minutes, finished minus-5 and sat through the final five minutes. Jordan Clarkson scored 18 in 17 minutes at plus-15. Landry Shamet, cleared of an ankle issue that day, hit 4 of 7 threes. Tyler Kolek handed out 9 assists without a turnover. That is a hard night for a $33.5 million wing. Whether Mike Brown keeps going this way is not settled by one game.
Diawara Stuck Waiting
Bondy also reported that Mo Diawara's role has not been what Brown envisioned. Diawara is 21 and in his second season. Chicago gave no sign of a change. Brown leaned on veterans: the 34-year-old Clarkson and the 33-year-old Andre Drummond, who grabbed 11 rebounds in 15 minutes.
Towns Answers Back
The Post's Jared Schwartz reported that Karl-Anthony Towns answered a halftime challenge from Brown against Detroit. Mike Vaccaro wrote that the champions had found their identity again. Towns had 14 points and 10 rebounds in that win. In Chicago, after being cleared of a left wrist issue, he added 19 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. The bigger Towns story hasn't moved. Extension talks have been on hold since October 9, and on October 11 he was described as very disappointed. With a $220.4M payroll above the first apron, the front office owes him an answer.
Bottom Line
ESPN billed Friday as Cup group-stage business with the 76ers. The Knicks arrive at 2-3 and eighth, on the second night of a back-to-back. Philadelphia is 4-1, had a day off and already beat New York 106-100 on October 20. Brunson's heroics will travel. The bench has to travel too, and Bridges has to earn his way back.
Why was Mikal Bridges benched against the Bulls?
The New York Post reported that he was benched while the reserves came up big. He played 13 minutes, finished minus-5 and sat through the final five minutes as the bench scored 48.
When do the Knicks play the 76ers in the NBA Cup?
Friday, October 30, in Philadelphia on Prime Video, on the second night of a back-to-back. Philadelphia beat the Knicks 106-100 on October 20.
