New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls prediction, time and team news (Oct. 28, 2026)
Prediction markets make the New York Knicks 78% favorites against the Chicago Bulls at 23%. New York has dropped its first three games, while rookie Caleb Wilson gives Chicago a different way to challenge the defending champions.
Basketball
By George Karmpoulonis
The New York Knicks visit the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, October 28, in a game that looks more straightforward in the market than in the early standings. New York, the defending NBA champion, opened 0–3 after a 111–102 home loss to Orlando on Sunday. Chicago was 1–2 after losing 124–120 to Washington on Saturday.
The Knicks still have Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart in the same starting group. Mike Brown's immediate problem is not finding a new identity; it is making that group more efficient at both ends, particularly late in games.
Chicago has a new coach in Tiago Splitter and a much younger starting frontcourt. Rookie Caleb Wilson scored 30 points with 14 rebounds against Washington, while Josh Giddey and Norman Powell give the Bulls two very different ways to initiate offense.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls game snapshot
Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Tip-off: 8:00 p.m. ET
Competition: NBA, 2026–27 regular season
Home team: Chicago Bulls
New York Knicks win: 78%
Chicago Bulls win: 23%
New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls prediction
Prediction markets for New York @ Chicago currently make New York Knicks 78% favorites, with Chicago Bulls at 23%.
Market data as of October 26, 2026. For the latest market-implied probability, check the OG app.
New York's market position is largely about the quality and experience of its core. Brunson can control a pick-and-roll, Towns gives the offense shooting and interior scoring from the center position, and Bridges, Anunoby and Hart can cover ground defensively without removing all of New York's offense.
Its opening three games nevertheless exposed weaknesses. The Knicks have scored only 101.7 points per game and lost a 10-point fourth-quarter lead to Orlando. Brown has pointed to shot quality, turnovers and defensive transition as problems. That makes a quick return to their old level an expectation, not a demonstrated result.
Chicago's opportunity is to attack those specific areas. Wilson's 30-point, 14-rebound game showed how much pressure he can create inside, and Giddey's passing can turn a slow retreat into a high-quality shot. Powell's perimeter shooting makes it harder for New York to protect the paint with all five defenders.
The scheduling question is real. New York hosts Detroit on Tuesday and then travels to Chicago for Wednesday's game, the second night of a back-to-back. That does not establish any planned rest, but it raises the importance of Brown's rotation and how much energy the Knicks can sustain defensively.
New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls win probabilities
New York Knicks win: 78%
Chicago Bulls win: 23%
The market continues to favor New York’s established talent, but the Knicks’ offensive start and Tuesday workload make the matchup less settled than the percentages alone suggest. Chicago’s most convincing argument is its transition offense and Wilson’s work around the rim.
New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls game outlook
Brunson will look to draw Chicago's bigs into decisions. When Jalen Smith steps up toward a screen, Towns can move to the perimeter or roll into space, depending on the action. If Chicago keeps its center closer to the rim, Brunson has room to work into his preferred midrange areas.
The Bulls need to win the possessions around those actions. They have already shown a willingness to push the pace, recording 34 fast-break points against Washington. Giddey can start those breaks after a rebound, and Wilson can finish them without needing a post-up or a designed set.
New York's perimeter defense is capable of interrupting that rhythm. Bridges and Anunoby can challenge the first drive, while Hart's rebounding helps prevent Chicago from getting an easy second shot. But that only works when the Knicks communicate on the way back; Orlando's 40-point fourth quarter was a reminder of what happens when their defense breaks down.
Chicago also has a half-court problem to solve. The Bulls shot 12 of 43 from three against Washington and had converted just 28 of 124 attempts through their first three games. Powell can provide dependable outside creation, but too many hurried perimeter shots would let New York control the tempo.
The second-unit minutes could take on additional weight because of New York's back-to-back. Andre Drummond gives the Knicks a different rebounding option behind Towns, while Splitter can use wing depth and quicker lineups to test whether New York can defend multiple possessions without a foul or turnover.
Team news and injuries
New York Knicks
New York used the same starting five in its opening three games. The primary news heading into Chicago is its Tuesday game against Detroit and the consequent Wednesday back-to-back. No specific rest decision for Brunson, Towns or the other starters should be inferred.
Brown must also manage the offense's early inefficiency. The loss to Orlando featured a difficult shooting night for Brunson, who went 12 of 28 from the field, and a 40-point fourth quarter allowed on defense. Any new game-specific availability or rotation adjustment after Detroit could change the projected five.
Chicago Bulls
Nic Claxton was listed out for Monday's game at Boston with a left hamstring strain. Noa Essengue was questionable with a head contusion, and Patrick Williams with right adductor/groin soreness. Those Monday statuses do not automatically establish their availability against New York.
Claxton's absence has left Jalen Smith in the starting-center role, while Wilson and Matas Buzelis have taken major frontcourt minutes. Wilson's offensive rebounding and inside scoring are particularly important if Chicago again plays without its intended extra center depth.
Expected starting lineups
New York Knicks lineups
Projected starting five:
Jalen Brunson
Mikal Bridges
OG Anunoby
Josh Hart
Karl-Anthony Towns
Brown opened the first three games with this five, so it is the strongest evidence-based projection before Tuesday’s game against Detroit. A Wednesday change would depend on the actual minutes, health and coaching decisions from the back-to-back.
Chicago Bulls lineups
Projected starting five:
Josh Giddey
Norman Powell
Matas Buzelis
Caleb Wilson
Jalen Smith
Chicago started these five in each of its first three games. Smith’s role is especially significant while Claxton is sidelined, and Wilson offers scoring and rebounding from the forward spots. Splitter may adjust bench size if Chicago needs more coverage against Towns.
Key factors that could decide New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls
Can the Knicks create better shots late in possessions?
Brunson and Towns remain a difficult pair to defend, but New York has struggled to sustain offense. The Knicks need quicker decisions after the first screen rather than asking Brunson to rescue too many broken plays.
Does Wilson’s interior scoring translate against New York’s wings?
Wilson collected 14 rebounds and scored 30 against Washington. Hart, Bridges and Anunoby bring a different level of positional size and help; Wilson’s positioning and offensive rebounding may matter more than isolated drives.
How much does the Tuesday–Wednesday turnaround affect New York?
A back-to-back does not dictate the result or prove a player will sit. It does make reserve production, turnover avoidance and sustained defensive effort particularly important for the Knicks against a Bulls team willing to run.
What could move the New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls market prediction?
The outcome and workload from New York's Tuesday game against Detroit are central to the Wednesday projection. A confirmed lineup change, rest decision or new injury would have more direct significance than the Knicks' first three results alone.
For Chicago, updates on Claxton, Essengue and Williams may affect frontcourt depth and who is available to defend Towns or absorb fouls. Splitter's rotation against Boston on Monday also offers a useful lead-in.
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