Josh Giddey Shines as Bulls Stay Unbeaten with Win Over Knicks

CHICAGO – The Chicago Bulls kept their dream start alive, improving to 5-0 after a thrilling 135-125 win over the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup opener on October 31. The victory marks Chicago’s best start since the Michael Jordan era in 1996-97.

Australian guard Josh Giddey delivered the performance of his young career, scoring a career-high 32 points, pulling down 10 rebounds, and dishing nine assists. Nikola Vucevic added 26 points, helping the Bulls remain the only unbeaten team in the Eastern Conference.

Giddey was on fire early, hitting 7 of 10 shots in the first half, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, as Chicago raced ahead by 22 points in the second quarter. The Knicks, however, refused to fold. Behind O.G. Anunoby’s 26 points and Jalen Brunson’s 29, New York closed the gap to 115-113 with just under six minutes left.

Vucevic then stepped up when it mattered most, scoring eight crucial points during a 13-3 Chicago run that sealed the game. The Bulls’ balanced scoring saw Ayo Dosunmu add 22, rookie Matas Buzelis chip in 13, and Kevin Huerter and Jalen Smith round out the double-digit scorers.

With the win, head coach Billy Donovan notched his 200th victory with the franchise—a milestone moment on a night when everything clicked for Chicago.

In other NBA Cup action, Boston edged Philadelphia 109-108 in a gritty battle, while Luka Doncic marked his return with 44 points as the Lakers downed Memphis.