The expectation was that the New York Knicks would be in the same conversation as the NBA’s elite this season. You don’t trade five first-round picks for Mikal Bridges if that isn’t the case. You don’t make an overnight move for Karl-Anthony Towns if the idea isn’t to contend for a championship.

The New York Knicks made two big moves to propel their championship chances this season. Landing Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges uplifted their floor and ceiling, and they should be in the conversation right now for a title.

All-Stars Karl-Anthony Towns combined for 54 points, and Mikal Bridges came up with a massive block on Bulls center Nikola Vucevic to force overtime in New York’s 113-111 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.

Those championship aspirations were only magnified by the fact that the team made a massive investment by going out and trading for Mikal Bridges. Now, Bridges has obviously been a solid NBA player throughout his career,

"Mikal had a stretch in the fourth gave us a good lift as well.” Bridges isn't normally considered ... Those thoughts are gone with Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson leading the way.

“They just got Karl-Anthony Towns, and he’s fit in just fine offensively. Mikal Bridges: He’s starting to find his stride within the offense. You need a big to anchor that defense. Karl ...

Aside from what he’s done individually, Towns’ skill set and presence has helped create one of the best offenses in basketball. It’s not just his shot making, it’s his passing. It’s not just his size, but the gravity he provides as a shooter at his size.

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.

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,

Bridges produced six points (3-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt), five rebounds and five assists over 29 minutes during Tuesday's 128-115 win over Indiana. Bridges' six points Tuesday matched his second-lowest scoring output of the campaign,

Even with Josh Hart added to the street-clothes crew with a knee injury, they kicked off their final stretch of 28 regular-season games by pulling out a gritty, 113-111, overtime decision.