Without Josh Hart and OG Anunoby — and still awaiting the return of Mitchell Robinson — the Knicks did just enough to avoid blowing a double-digit second-half lead.

So he certainly wasn’t about to wave the white flag in game No. 971 Thursday night when the Knicks hosted the Chicago Bulls, even as he trotted out a starting lineup without Josh Hart or OG Anunoby. For Thibodeau and the Knicks,

The New York Knicks were undermanned coming out of the All-Star break, but that didn't mean they would get their second half off to a bad start. Without OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Mitchell Robinson, New York still found a way to outlast the Chicago Bulls Thursday night in a 113-111 contest at Madison Square Garden.

The pair was pressed into starting duty as forward OG Anunoby missed his sixth consecutive game with a right foot sprain.

The New York Knicks were shorthanded against a Chicago Bulls team that was fighting for their playoff lives to kick off the second half of the season.  Starters like OG Anunoby and Josh Hart were both out of action while backup center Mitchell Robinson continues to be out from offseason surgery.

The New York Knicks were able to squeak out a victory to kick off the return of the regular season schedule after the All-Star break. The Knicks hosted the Chicago Bulls in the Madison Square Garden to get their campaign rolling again. New York secured a 113-111 victory, though it took an overtime period to do so.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 32 points and 18 rebounds, Jalen Brunson added 22 points and 12 assists and the New York Knicks edged Chicago Bulls 113-111 in overtime Thursday night. Miles McBride finished with 22 points,

Despite missing two key starters, the New York Knicks preserved and battled hard to secure a second straight overtime win Thursday, this time over the Chicago Bulls 113-111.