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Two teams with identical 1-3 records will meet at the United Center on Wednesday evening as the Chicago Bulls play host to the New York Knicks. The Knicks, last season's champions, have stumbled out of the gate, dropping their first three games to the 76ers, Celtics, and Magic before finally securing their first win of the 2026-27 campaign on Tuesday night against the Detroit Pistons, 111-97.
Now, New York travels to Chicago for the second game of a back-to-back set. The Bulls, who last played in Boston on Monday, hold their first genuine rest advantage of the young season. However, that edge may not be enough to overcome the experience gap between the two squads. Veteran teams have historically dominated the youthful Bulls, particularly in the second half, and Chicago will need a complete 48-minute effort to avoid another lopsided home defeat. The third quarter, in particular, has been a disaster zone for the Bulls in recent games.
Key Factors for a Bulls Victory
The Knicks' offense may not be firing on all cylinders, but their defense has been stout, surrendering around 105 points per game. That included holding Detroit under 100 points just 24 hours earlier. Opponents are shooting only 43.3 percent against New York, and the team's defensive rating of 107.9 ranks seventh in the NBA. This poses a significant challenge for a Bulls offense that owns the league's worst effective field goal percentage (46.1) through four games. Additionally, the Knicks have been disciplined, allowing the sixth-fewest free throw attempts per game, which is troubling for a Chicago team that has relied heavily on getting to the line. This matchup could become a nightmare for Bulls head coach Tiago Splitter, who constantly stresses the importance of rebounding. New York excels on the glass, ranking sixth in rebounding percentage (52.9) and third in second-chance points (20.8 per game). The Bulls have already been burned by losing the possession battle multiple times this season, and they must collectively ensure it doesn't happen again on Wednesday.
Three-Point Shooting Woes
Can the Bulls finally eclipse 30.0 percent from beyond the arc? Even though Chicago isn't built to be a prolific three-point shooting team, the law of averages suggests they won't shoot 24.0 percent for the entire season. This group is due for a breakout night from deep, and what better time than against the reigning champions in their second home game of the year? The Knicks, meanwhile, haven't been particularly hot from downtown either and are attempting far fewer threes per game. If the Bulls can string together a respectable shooting performance, they might keep this contest closer than many anticipate.
Game Information
Who: New York Knicks (1-3) vs. Chicago Bulls (1-3)
Where: United Center
When: 7:00 PM CT
Watch: Chicago Sports Network
Listen: 104.3 FM The Score
Projected Starting Lineups
Chicago Bulls: Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, Jalen Smith
New York Knicks: Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns
Injury Report
Patrick Williams (adductor) is out for the Bulls, while Tobe Awaka (ankle) and Nic Claxton (hamstring) are also sidelined. Jose Alvarado (ankle) is out for the Knicks.