October 27, 2026 at 5:14 AM UTC

Pregame Analysis

Winless Knicks Look for Traction in Chicago

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The defending champions arrive in Chicago still searching for their first win of the season.

The Knicks have spent the opening week of the season with a lot of pressure and very little to show for it. They fell to 0-3 with a 111-102 loss to the Magic, and the most troubling part was a fourth-quarter lead that got away. For the defending champions, that kind of late collapse is the main storyline heading into Chicago.

There is an extra layer of uncertainty here. New York hosts the Pistons on Tuesday night, one night before this game, so the result and any bumps or bruises from that matchup will shape the group that travels to the United Center. That back-to-back turnaround matters for a team already searching for its rhythm.

The guard rotation is another concern. Jose Alvarado has been sidelined with a left ankle sprain, which has put Tyler Kolek in line for more minutes. Kolek's ability to organize the offense and keep the second unit steady could decide whether New York's late-game execution improves. Coach Mike Brown has said the team looks like it's moving around in mud, and the Knicks need more energy and sharper decisions to change that.

The Bulls get a wounded opponent, and that can be dangerous. A winless champion usually plays with urgency, but the Knicks have not yet shown they can close games. I still expect their talent and desperation to carry them in a tight game, provided they hold up through the fourth quarter this time. Chicago should stay within reach, but New York finds just enough late to avoid the 0-4 hole, or to make a first win feel like a real turning point.

Prediction: Knicks 108, Bulls 103.

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