In atypical fashion, the Chicago Bulls established a lead, held onto it all four quarters, and briefly flirted with a clutch-game scenario en route to defeating the New York Knicks at the United Center. No one will confuse Friday's game with a 1990s Bulls-Knicks rivalry game, but there was a bit of extracurricular activity early when Josh Hart was called for a flagrant-2 foul for kicking Javonte Green in the head in the first quarter.
Josh Hart got a Flagrant 2 for kicking Javonte Green in the head on this playpic.twitter.com/Z1gyWv89dm
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) April 6, 2024
From the very first possession, Ayo Dosunmu attacked the Knicks' defense and was the primary driver of the Bulls' offense in the first quarter. The Illinois product scored 14 of Chicago's 29 first-quarter points. Overall, Dosunmu had a well-rounded game, scoring 24 points on 50% shooting from the field and adding six rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
Ayo getting busy early!@NBCSChicago | @AyoDos_11 pic.twitter.com/vNKxYY7dXZ
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 6, 2024
Javonte Green was unbridled energy off the bench for the Bulls, earning a double-double of 14 rebounds and 24 efficient points while shooting 71.4% from the field. Green was a one-man dunk contest, putting together a highlight reel that surely should be considered some of the Bulls' best this season.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOO.@NBCSChicago | @2Xtremebounce pic.twitter.com/zmIrPdrDlp
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 6, 2024
GET UP AND GO GET IT.@NBCSChicago | @2Xtremebounce pic.twitter.com/l4ugm8Xo9B
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 6, 2024
PUT IT IN REVERSE, JAVONTE.@NBCSChicago | @2Xtremebounce pic.twitter.com/Tdgq89efhC
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 6, 2024
Coby White and Alex Caruso both sustained injuries that the Bulls don't fully know the impact of yet. White immediately left the floor for the locker room in the second quarter after attempting to fight through a screen set by Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein and didn't return to the game.
INJURY UPDATE: Coby White (left ankle) is out for the rest of tonight's game. pic.twitter.com/BybVYeRuLf
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 6, 2024
Caruso appeared to injure his left foot after Jalen Brunson stepped on it late in the fourth quarter.
Coby White walked down United Center hallway under own power and without much of a limp. Alex Caruso is also walking under own power in locker room. Billy Donovan said team won’t know severity of ankle injuries and obviously won’t prioritize chasing 9th seed over health
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) April 6, 2024
The Bulls hit the road for a Sunday night matchup against the Orlando Magic. The Magic are 6-4 in their last 10 games and fighting to remain in the top-six Eastern Conference seeding to clinch an outright 2024 NBA Playoff berth. Tip-off is at 5 PM CT and the game will air on NBC Sports Chicago+.
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