The New York Knicks are rolling into Chicago with hopes of securing back-to-back victories for just the second time this February. Meanwhile, the Bulls are eager to notch their first win since January 31, even as conventional wisdom suggests that losing might be more strategic at this point in the season.
Tonight's matchup at the United Center has its share of injury woes. The Bulls are fresh off a 126-110 defeat at home against the Detroit Pistons, who currently boast the best record in the NBA.
Chicago's lineup, heavy on guards, is still finding its rhythm post-trade deadline. But don't expect coach Billy Donovan to back down; he's sticking with his veterans, aiming for wins, even if they seem out of reach.
The Knicks, on the other hand, have been on a tear, winning seven of their last ten games. They're sitting comfortably in third place in the Eastern Conference, just a game behind the Boston Celtics as of February 22.
This setup hints at a likely Knicks victory tonight.
Injury Updates: Bulls and Knicks
For the Bulls, Anfernee Simons, their top scorer since joining from Boston, is out due to a wrist injury sustained in the loss to Detroit. Simons has been putting up 15.2 points per game in his short stint with Chicago, though his shooting percentages-43.8% from the field and 32.0% from beyond the arc-leave room for improvement.
Jaden Ivey remains sidelined with left knee soreness. Ivey, who is still working to regain his form after a leg injury in January 2025, is a focal point in the Bulls' somewhat contradictory strategy of playing veterans while ostensibly in a rebuilding phase.
Adding to Chicago's injury concerns, Patrick Williams and Nick Richards have also appeared on the injury report.
For the Knicks, McBride, a crucial part of their guard rotation, is out following core muscle surgery earlier this month and might miss the remainder of the regular season. Mitchell Robinson will also sit out the second game of the Knicks' back-to-back due to an ankle injury.
Injury Report Summary
Chicago Bulls:
- Questionable: Nick Richards (foot)
- Probable: Patrick Williams (hand)
New York Knicks:
- Out: McBride (core muscle surgery), Mitchell Robinson (ankle)