CHICAGO — “Take us off life support!” Chicago Bulls analyst Stacey King shouted Wednesday night after Jalen Brunson’s last-second shot rolled completely around the basket and rimmed out in the Bulls’ wild 124-123 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

It was easily the most exciting game of the young season and had everything you’d want in a Bulls-Knicks telecast, including a Zach LaVine takeover, Billy Donovan’s late-game maneuvering, “Thibs being Thibs,” Karl-Anthony Towns threatening to do a Willis Reed impersonation and the ubiquitous Spike Lee hugging Queen Latifah.

Announcers Adam Amin and King were on their game, as usual, from Knicks forward OG Anunoby nearly crashing into a diamond-studded Anne Hathaway while chasing a loose ball to Brunson’s final shot that barely missed.

It was about as good of an advertisement for watching the Bulls as any I’ve seen in quite a while.

Chicago Sports Network’s broadcast was excellent, including a shot of Josh Giddey totally ignoring the huddle among Donovan and his players during the final timeout, an overhead shot of the ball circling the rim on Brunson’s shot and a reaction shot of the Knicks bench celebrating too early, only to put their hands over their heads in disbelief.

My first thought afterward was what a shame it was that so many Bulls fans weren’t able to tune in because of the ongoing carriage dispute between CHSN and Comcast.

But Thursday morning brought the news that CHSN would be available on a direct-to-consumer streaming app beginning Friday night, when the Bulls try to end the Cavaliers’ season-opening 13-game winning streak in Cleveland. The first Blackhawks game available will be Saturday night’s game in Vancouver, which also is Connor Bedard’s first game in his hometown.

At long last, the Bulls and Hawks will be available to anyone in the Chicago area willing to spend $20 or $30 a month to watch one or both of our sub-.500 teams.

“Today’s announcement is the next step in our long-term commitment to Chicago sports fans everywhere and is another new and compelling way for us to serve and connect with them,” CHSN President Jason Coyle said in a statement.

Better late than never, though it’s hard to imagine fans rushing out to hand Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, Hawks Chairman Danny Wirtz and CHSN their money just yet.

The Bulls are 5-7 after Wednesday’s win, which came after blowing a 22-point third-quarter lead via a 17-0 run by the Knicks.

Luck was definitely on their side. A foolish swipe foul by Josh Hart on Coby White’s 3-point attempt with three seconds left sent White to the line to sink three free throws and give the Bulls a one-point lead before Brunson’s fadeaway jumper inexplicably rimmed out when it appeared to be going in.

“We were fortunate it didn’t go in,” Donovan said. “It was rolling around the rim, and if it would have went in, no one would have been surprised. Everybody was probably more surprised it rolled out.”

Donovan’s up-tempo offense is the main reason the Bulls, win or lose, are currently the most interesting team to watch in Chicago. That isn’t saying much when the Hawks are in rebuilding mode and the Bears have been in crash-and-burn mode since the Hail Mary loss to the Washington Commanders.

But at least the Bulls are entertaining.

The Hawks were 6-9-1 entering Thursday’s game in Seattle, which might be better than most fans expected but was tied for 13th in the Western Conference standings. The most distressing part is Bedard had only three goals in the first 16 games and a 5.8% shooting percentage on 52 shots. He scored nine goals in his first 16 games as a rookie, shooting 19% on 47 shots.

It’s nothing to be concerned about — unless, of course, you’re trying to sell DTC subscriptions, as CHSN will be focusing on in the coming weeks.

The subscription packages start at $19.99 per month for one team or $29.99 for all three, including White Sox games next year. Bulls and Hawks season ticket holders will receive free access the rest of this season. Subscribers also will have full access to all of the David Haugh-hosted programs, which are too numerous to mention here.

But most buyers will be making their decision based on the games. As someone who has been watching CHSN on an antenna at home or in bars, I can confirm the picture is very sharp and the production values are as good as any in the business. Producer Marc Brady, who started at WGN-9 before going to NBC Sports Chicago, knows how to create a narrative on Bulls telecasts and have fun at the same time.

I particularly enjoyed Amin’s celebrity sightings Wednesday at Madison Square Garden, including Michael J. Fox, Ron Harper, Fat Joe and the woman who played Maggie on “The Walking Dead.” K.C. Johnson adds his fine reporting skills, and the postgame show with Jason Goff and Kendall Gill is strong.

I’d suggest a pregame panel discussion with Johnson and other Bulls experts, such as veteran beat writers Sam Smith, Julia Poe, Joe Cowley and Darnell Mayberry. Maybe next year.

In the meantime, CHSN is officially available to everyone as of Friday — and definitely not on life support.

Give them the hot sauce, please.

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