Tonight, the Chicago Bulls (29-47) are in town to face the Knicks (49*-28) at Madison Square Garden. New York remains third in the Eastern Conference and finally got back in the win column Wednesday night, snapping their road skid with a 130-119 victory. With the Cavs still breathing down their necks, the Knicks need to take advantage of an easier opponent to solidify their seeding, because up next are the Hawks, Celtics, Raptors, and Hornets. Yikes.
The Knicks lead the season series 2-1. The teams
last met on February 22 in Chicago, where the Knicks pulled out a 105-99 victory at the United Center. That defensive battle saw New York’s frontcourt dominate the glass to stifle a late Chicago comeback attempt. KAT led everyone with 28 points and 11 boards. Matas Buzelis topped the home team with 15 points.
The Bulls have dropped eight of their last 10. They score 116.5 points per game while allowing 121.4. Their defense has been a sieve during this five-game losing streak, and they’ve struggled to find consistent secondary scoring behind their lead options.
With the roster overhauled and both Coby White and Nikola Vučević jettisoned to greener pastures, the Bulls have leaned heavily on a youth-led rotation centered around Josh Giddey and Buzelis. Giddey acts as the primary playmaker and nearly averaging a triple-double with 17.2 points, 9.2 assists, and 8.4 rebounds. Alongside him, Buzelis has emerged as a scoring threat and a versatile defender (16.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG), using his length to disrupt opposing wings. In the frontcourt, they’ll field Isaac Okoro, Buzelis, and whoever is left standing (see injury report below).
Collin Sexton (15.2 PPG, 40% 3P%) should see extended minutes as he likely returns to the starting lineup tonight. Since being acquired from Charlotte and recovering from a mid-March leg contusion, Sexton’s role has fluctuated. Despite leading the team with 18 points in their recent loss to Indiana, his usage remains tied to the Bulls’ prioritization of their younger backcourt.
Chicago’s injury report will make you wince. Jalen Smith, Zach Collins, and Noa Essengue are all sidelined for the remainder of the season, Anfernee Simons (wrist) has already been ruled out for tonight’s contest, while Nick Richards (elbow) remains questionable for tonight’s tilt. Other game-time decisions include Giddey (hamstring), Tre Jones (ankle), Guerschon Yabusele (ankle), Lachlan Olbrich (foot), and dunk sensation Mac McClung (abdomen).
Prediction
ESPN gives the Knicks an 82% chance. Naturally. Between the Bulls’ current five-game skid and the Knicks’ urgency to lock up the third seed, the talent gap at MSG tonight should be obvious. The Knicks are a different team when fully healthy and locked in. They need to use this as a tune-up opportunity before the postseason push through four tougher foes. Knicks by 12.
Game Details
Who: New York Knicks (49*-28) vs Chicago Bulls (29-47)
Date: Friday, April 3, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Place: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
TV: MSG
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
* Should be one more, but the NBA Cup got lost at the dry cleaner.
