Knicks vs Bulls Preview: New York Cannot Afford Another Slow Start

The New York Knicks host the Chicago Bulls with a chance to return to .500, but their previous meeting offers a warning against complacency. Chicago pushed the defending champions into a difficult comeback last week, showing why its poor record should not dictate New York’s approach.

The Knicks enter at 3–4, while the Bulls arrive at Madison Square Garden with a 1–6 record and five consecutive losses. On paper, the matchup favors New York. On the court, Mike Brown’s team still needs to demonstrate that it can control a game before the fourth quarter.

Chicago’s defensive struggles create an opportunity. The Bulls are allowing 128.8 points per game, with opponents shooting close to 40 percent from three-point range. Their opening stretch has included defeats by 19, 35 and 43 points, illustrating how quickly games have slipped away.

For the Knicks, the challenge is turning those weaknesses into quality possessions. Moving the ball, attacking defensive gaps and finding open shooters should produce better results than settling for difficult attempts simply because Chicago has struggled to get stops.

The previous meeting remains relevant. New York needed to erase a 19-point deficit before securing a 133–127 victory at the United Center. That game came on the second night of a back-to-back, but the circumstances do not remove the lesson: giving a young opponent confidence can make an apparently favorable matchup considerably harder.

Caleb Wilson is one reason the Bulls remain capable of creating problems. The fourth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft has provided athleticism, energy and a promising foundation for Chicago’s rebuilding project. His decision-making and shooting remain areas for development, but his activity can punish opponents who lose track of cutters or fail to finish defensive possessions.

New York should make Wilson work against an organized defense rather than allowing him easy opportunities in transition. Matching his effort will matter as much as accounting for his physical tools.

Chicago also needs more consistent production from Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. Giddey’s scoring has fallen from roughly 17 points per game last season to nine, while his field-goal percentage sits below 37 percent. Buzelis has likewise struggled to turn his potential into dependable nightly output.

Those difficulties have complicated the early work of head coach Thiago Splitter. A young roster needs room to develop, but poor execution can compound quickly when defensive mistakes are followed by rushed offensive possessions.

Norman Powell gives Chicago an experienced scoring option and remains a player New York must take seriously. His ability to generate offense can keep the Bulls competitive even when the rest of their attack becomes uneven. The Knicks cannot assume that Chicago’s broader struggles will prevent its veteran scorer from finding a rhythm.

For Brown, the priority should be establishing clear defensive responsibilities from the opening minutes. Containing drives, securing rebounds and avoiding unnecessary turnovers would reduce the chances of another game turning into a recovery mission.

The Knicks have enough offensive options to test Chicago in different ways. Jalen Brunson can initiate the attack, Karl-Anthony Towns can contribute as both a scorer and passer, and the reserves can provide additional shooting and creation. The task is connecting those strengths rather than relying on one player to rescue stagnant possessions.

A victory would move New York to 4–4, but the performance matters alongside the result. After another uneven outing against Brooklyn, this is an opportunity to show greater consistency across all four quarters.

Chicago’s record makes the Knicks the logical favorite. Last week’s close encounter makes a focused start essential.