Tip-off: 8:00 p.m. ET
Venue: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
TV: CHSN / CHSN App / MSG / DAZN-MSG / NBA League Pass
Both Eastern Conference teams enter at 1-3, with the defending-champion Knicks looking to build on their first win of the season and the Bulls seeking to stabilize after several lopsided losses.
Current Rosters
New York Knicks: Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, Miles McBride, Landry Shamet, and supporting depth. The core remains largely intact.
Chicago Bulls: Josh Giddey, Caleb Wilson, Jalen Smith, Zach Collins, Isaac Okoro, and available rotation players. Depth is tested by absences in the frontcourt.
Probable starters
Knicks: Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges / Miles McBride, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns.
Bulls: Josh Giddey, (available guard), Caleb Wilson or similar, (available forward), Jalen Smith / Zach Collins.
Injury Reports
Knicks:
Day-to-Day / Questionable: Jose Alvarado (left ankle sprain).
Core stars are available.
Bulls:
Out: Nic Claxton (left hamstring strain — multi-week timeline).
Questionable: Patrick Williams (right groin/adductor), Tobe Awaka (left ankle).
Recent Team Forms
Knicks (1-3): Losses to Philadelphia, at Boston, and vs. Orlando, followed by a 111-97 home win over Detroit on Tuesday. Brunson scored 23 and Towns posted 27 points with 20 rebounds in the breakthrough victory. They play the second night of a back-to-back.
Bulls (1-3): A win at Milwaukee mixed with heavy losses, including a 134-99 defeat at Boston on Monday (25 turnovers, trailed by as many as 40). Three-point shooting has been poor early (league-worst range). They return home looking to bounce back.
New York carries recent momentum; Chicago has struggled with consistency and defensive lapses.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Jalen Brunson vs. Josh Giddey: Primary creators. Brunson’s scoring and mid-range mastery against Giddey’s playmaking and size.
Karl-Anthony Towns vs. Jalen Smith / Zach Collins: Interior scoring, rebounding, and spacing. Towns’ double-double threat vs. Chicago’s available bigs (Claxton out).
OG Anunoby / Mikal Bridges vs. Caleb Wilson / Bulls wings: Two-way wing play, defense, and transition.
Supporting: Josh Hart’s energy and rebounding against Chicago’s secondary options.
Knicks’ experience and defensive versatility create advantages against a Bulls side missing frontcourt stability.
Series History
New York has won the last three meetings and six of the past 10. The Knicks hold recent dominance in the matchup.
Betting Trends
New York has covered in recent head-to-heads. Chicago’s early defensive and shooting struggles (especially from three) support favorite spreads. Totals have varied; Knicks games have trended under at times early.
The Knicks’ championship pedigree, star power (Brunson-Towns), and momentum from the Pistons win make them strong favorites despite the road and back-to-back. The Bulls need better shooting, fewer turnovers, and contributions from available depth to stay competitive. Expect New York to control the tempo and pull away in the second half if they limit Chicago’s transition opportunities.
Game Odds
New York Knicks – 7
Chicago Bulls 232
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, October 27, 2026
