Knicks vs. Bulls IV

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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~

~~~(Date: October 22nd, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Madison Square Garden, New York)~~~

~~~(Time: 4:36 PM)~~~

I sink a fading shot out of bounds as I'm pretty much pushed. Scoring a 2-pointer. The refs didn't call it, and I can tell everyone in the Arena is starting to get frustrated with the refs. With that basket from me, I've widened the score gap just a bit more.

The score is now 13 to 7 in our favor, and I want to run away with this game before the half. I've given up on getting steals and blocks on defense.

We're back on defense, and I'm with Kostos. He gets the ball while we're in the post and starts to back me down. As he's about to bump me with his back again, I move out of the way. Again. But this time, I make it obvious I've not touched him.

He loses the ball, and I take it. Going from the post and passing the guards. There are two Bulls players on my tail as I enter the paint on our end of the court. I slam the dunk down and get another 2 points. Causing the crowd to go wild.

That makes the score 15 to 7, and we're starting to get hot. Jalen and Barrett are moving and shooting well, and Robinson and Jericho are making it easier for us scorers.

"That's what I'm talking about!! Try and call a foul on that, Pussy Refs!!"

There is a fan in the crowd that starts to heckle the refs, and they actually stop the game before the Bulls start their possession. I watch in both fascination and disappointment, and the refs eject the fan. Making security come, and escort him out.

I wish he didn't do that, cause the Bulls have gotten a free time-out. And they're using it to bring in fresher players. We're about 7 minutes into the first quarter at this point and now is when players get subbed out.

I'm staying in, and so is Barrett, but the rest of the starting line-up is heading for the bench for a break. They're still tired from the game against Boston.

The Bulls inbound the ball, and I decide to actively guard Zach this possession. I'm not touching him, but he's not able to dribble past me. I'm making him frustrated. He purposefully runs into me, and a whistle is called.

After the whistle is called, he throws the ball at my chest too.

Causing another whistle to go off.

"One personal foul and one technical foul on number 8!"

This time, it's Zach that's getting the fouls, and they lose possession. That also means I get a free throw too. And we make our way back to our end of the court, and I sink the quick free throw. We also get possession.

The ball is inbounded to me in our half and in a showing of surprise. The moment the ball touches my hands, I elevate for a 3-pointer and sink the shot.

Making the score 19 to 7. Causing the Bulls to look around in surprise.

~~~(POV: Ellie)~~~

~~~(Date: October 22nd, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Madison Square Garden, New York)~~~

~~~(Time: 4:40 PM)~~~

There are about three minutes left in the first quarter, and the Knicks have widened the score to 22 to 9, and everyone in the Arena is letting their joy and frustrations be known.

My phone suddenly goes off, and I pull it out of my purse to see Hannah texted me. I open the text, and I start reading.

[How's he doing so far? I'm looking at updates on my phone and see that he's already got 3 fouls.]

Hannah should be focusing on her practice with her team. But I can't blame her or hold it against her. Ulysses will want to know what's going on with her when she's at a meet, and he's not able to be there.

[He's doing fine. The refs are giving him a hard time if he starts playing defense too well, and they're not calling fouls committed against him. But that's not stopping him.]

That's enough to satisfy her, and I turn my attention back to the game to watch Ulysses fade on the elbow of the key and knock down a shot off the backboard. And Kostos starts to get frustrated despite how physical he's being with Ulysses.

Ulysses is taking care of business.