Knicks Look to Bounce Back Against Struggling Bulls

New York hosts Chicago in a Friday night matchup at Madison Square Garden

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:15am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game between the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks, with the players and court broken down into overlapping geometric shapes and planes in the team's official colors.The Knicks and Bulls clash in a high-stakes matchup at the iconic Madison Square Garden.NYC Today

The New York Knicks (49-28) will host the struggling Chicago Bulls (29-47) on Friday night at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are coming off a 130-119 win over the Grizzlies, while the Bulls recently fell to the Pacers 145-126. New York will look to continue their strong season and solidify their playoff positioning, while Chicago aims to pull off the upset on the road.

Why it matters

This game has major playoff implications for the Knicks, who are jockeying for position in the Eastern Conference standings. A win would keep them in the hunt for a top-4 seed. For the rebuilding Bulls, a victory would be a rare bright spot in an otherwise disappointing campaign.

The details

The Knicks are led by forward OG Anunoby, who had 25 points, 13 rebounds and 3 assists in the win over Memphis. New York shot 55.2% from the field and 40.6% from 3-point range. The Bulls were paced by Guerschon Yabusele's 20 points, but they struggled defensively against the Pacers, allowing 56.9% shooting.

  • The game tips off on Friday, April 3, 2026 at Madison Square Garden.
  • The Knicks last played on Wednesday, defeating the Grizzlies 130-119.
  • The Bulls most recently lost to the Pacers 145-126 on Wednesday.

The players

OG Anunoby

A key forward for the Knicks who had 25 points, 13 rebounds and 3 assists in the team's last game.

Guerschon Yabusele

A Bulls player who scored 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting in their last outing.

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What they’re saying

“We have to come out with more energy and focus on the defensive end if we want to have a chance against a team like the Knicks.”

— Guerschon Yabusele, Bulls Player

What’s next

The Knicks will look to continue their push for a top playoff seed, while the Bulls hope to play spoiler and pull off the road upset.

The takeaway

This game features a stark contrast between a Knicks team fighting for playoff positioning and a rebuilding Bulls squad looking to play the role of spoiler. New York's superior talent and home-court advantage make them the heavy favorites, but Chicago will look to pull off the surprise victory.