Brunson does it again.

In the second of consecutive 40-point games, Jalen Brunson scored 45 as the New York Knicks defeated the Chicago Bulls 128-117 on Tuesday evening. Brunson had his 10th 40-point game of the season, including seven successful 3-point shots.

New York put together back-to-back wins following a recent losing streak.

Former Toronto Raptor OG Anunoby tallied 24 points while Donte DiVincenzo’s buzzer-beater from midcourt marked the end of the first half, where he finished with 21 points.

With Josh Hart securing 17 points and 13 rebounds, the Knicks sought redemption for their previous loss to the Bulls last Friday. Both teams will face off in their final regular-season game on Sunday in New York.

DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 34 points, supported by Coby White’s 24 points and a franchise record of 205 3-pointers. Despite Nikola Vucevic’s 26 points, Chicago struggled with their seventh loss in ten games.

The first half saw Brunson’s dominant performance of 24 points as the Knicks took a 68-62 lead.

A late surge in the second quarter ended with Vucevic’s long-range shot, White’s record-breaking three, and DiVincenzo’s impressive halfcourt buzzer-beater, sending New York into halftime with a six-point advantage.

Before the game, Chicago coach Billy Donovan addressed rumors of him potentially replacing John Calipari at Kentucky, expressing his full commitment to the Bulls and his flattered response to the speculation.

Chicago coach Billy Donovan said he had not been contacted by Kentucky about replacing John Calipari and insisted his “total commitment” is with the Bulls. He acknowledged he was flattered by the speculation.

“You always are, right? But I haven’t spoken to anybody,” he said.

Former assistant at Kentucky and NCAA champion coach, Donovan’s primary focus remains with the Bulls as he navigates his fourth season with the team.

By Vincent Quezada

Photo courtesy of the NBA, and AP/ Nam Y. Huh