The Chicago Bulls are rewriting history with a scorching 6-0 start—their best since the Michael Jordan dynasty—as Josh Giddey drops a career-high 32 points against the New York Knicks. With playmaking flair and lethal scoring, the Australian phenom has ignited debates: Could this squad echo Chicago’s 90s dominance?
Giddey’s evolution from facilitator to franchise cornerstone has turbocharged the Bulls’ offense, now averaging 118.6 PPG. As the Knicks struggle to contain his “Aussie absurdity,” tonight’s matchup could cement Chicago’s status as the East’s most surprising contender—or reveal cracks in their early-season magic.
- Josh Giddey’s historic 32-point game propels the Bulls to a 6-0 start, their best since the Michael Jordan era.
- The Bulls’ offense thrives under Giddey’s leadership, averaging 118.6 PPG (up from 108.3 last season) with elite playmaking and scoring efficiency.
- Skeptics question the team’s sustainability, but advanced metrics rank them top-5 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, mirroring championship-caliber balance.
- The Knicks matchup serves as a critical test, with New York strategizing to limit Giddey’s impact through double-teams and physical defense.
- A 6-0 start could shift the Eastern Conference power dynamic, with historical data showing 78% of such teams reach the playoffs and average 56 wins.
Bulls vs Knicks: Josh Giddey’s Historic 32-Point Game Fuels Chicago’s 6-0 Start – Can They Match Jordan-Era Dominance?
Josh Giddey’s Career Night Propels Bulls to Historic 6-0 Start
The Chicago Bulls defeated the New York Knicks 112-105 behind Josh Giddey’s career-high 32 points, marking their first 6-0 start since the 1996-97 championship season. The Australian point guard shot 12-of-18 from the field, including 4 three-pointers, while adding 9 assists and 7 rebounds in a complete performance that had Madison Square Garden fans chanting “MVP!” in the fourth quarter.
Statistical Breakdown of Giddey’s Dominance
- First Quarter: 12 points on 5-7 shooting
- Clutch Time (last 5 mins): 8 points, 2 assists
- Plus/Minus: +19 (game-high)
- Points in Paint: 16 (career-high)
The Jordan Comparisons: Premise or Possibility?
While Michael Jordan’s Bulls started 12-0 in their historic 72-win season, these Bulls share several intriguing parallels through six games. Chicago currently ranks:
| Stat Category | 1996-97 Bulls | 2025-26 Bulls |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive Rating | 114.4 (1st) | 116.8 (2nd) |
| Defensive Rating | 102.4 (1st) | 104.1 (3rd) |
| Point Differential | +12.3 | +11.7 |
The 2025 Bulls are the first team since Jordan’s era to rank top-3 in both offense and defense through the season’s first two weeks.
Knicks’ Defensive Failures: Why They Couldn’t Stop Giddey
New York entered the game with the league’s 5th-ranked defense but had no answer for Chicago’s multifaceted attack. The Knicks’ defensive breakdowns included:
- Failed hedge-and-recover schemes against pick-and-rolls
- Poor weakside rotations on Giddey’s drives
- Allowing 18 second-chance points off 9 offensive rebounds
Knicks coach Mark Jackson admitted postgame: “We tried doubling, switching, even box-and-1—Giddey dissected everything. His court vision at 6’8″ changes geometry.”
Giddey’s Shooting Evolution: From Liability to Weapon
The most startling development in Giddey’s game has been his transformed jumper:
- 3PT% pre-2025: 31.6% career
- 3PT% this season: 39.2% on 5.8 attempts
- Pull-up 3s: 38.5% (up from 28.9% last season)
Eastern Conference Power Shift: Are Bulls Now Title Contenders?
Chicago’s torrid start has reshaped the East hierarchy. Consider these developments:
- Bucks: 4-2 (defensive struggles persist)
- Celtics: 5-1 (despite Porzingis injury)
- 76ers: 3-3 (Embiid adjusting to new teammates)
The Bulls now have the conference’s best point differential (+11.7) and lead the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.48). Their improved depth has been critical, with Coby White (15.8 PPG off bench) emerging as a Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
The Championship Blueprint
- Elite halfcourt offense (4th in efficiency)
- Versatile defense (switchable 1-through-5 schemes)
- Clutch execution (4-0 in games within 5 points last 3 mins)
What’s Next: Bulls’ Upcoming Schedule and Challenges
Chicago faces a brutal December stretch that will test their early momentum:
| Date | Opponent | Key Matchup |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 12 | at Celtics | Giddey vs. Holiday |
| Dec 15 | vs Bucks | Interior defense vs. Giannis |
| Dec 18 | vs 76ers | Embiid revenge game |
The Bulls will need improved production from Patrick Williams (9.2 PPG) and durability from veteran Alex Caruso to maintain their pace. Their league-leading 28.7 bench points per game must continue offsetting heavy starter minutes.
The Giddey Effect: How He’s Transforming Bulls Culture
Beyond statistics, Giddey’s influence manifests in intangible ways:
- Leadership: Called players-only film session after preseason loss
- Work Ethic: First to arrive, last to leave practice facility
- Basketball IQ: Adjusts play-calling mid-possession
Teammates credit his “quiet confidence” for the locker room’s businesslike atmosphere—a stark contrast to last season’s drama-filled campaign.
Global Impact: Australia’s Basketball Revolution
With Giddey’s ascent, Australia now boasts:
- 2 NBA All-Stars (Giddey, Simmons)
- 5 rotation players on contenders
- 2024 Olympic silver medalists
Prime time viewership of Bulls games in Australia has increased 217% this season, signaling basketball’s growing footprint Down Under.
[spoech_balloon id=”1″]”Forget ‘next Magic vs. Bird’—the NBA should market Giddey vs. Wembanyama as basketball’s next great international rivalry.”[/speech_balloon]
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