The New York Knicks vs Chicago Bulls matchup on February 22, 2026, represents a marquee event in the Eastern Conference calendar, scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. ET tip-off at the United Center, located in Chicago, Illinois.
The New York Knicks enter the final trimester of the 2025-26 season as a formidable contender in the Eastern Conference, currently maintaining a 36-21 record which places them third in the standings. The team’s identity has undergone a significant transformation under head coach Mike Brown, who was brought in to implement a more fluid, modern offensive system following the departure of Tom Thibodeau. Brown’s “read-and-react” motion offense has yielded high-level results, as the Knicks currently boast the third-highest offensive rating in the NBA at 119.9. This system emphasizes high-frequency screening and multi-positional playmaking, though the transition has not been entirely seamless for all personnel. A primary concern for the coaching staff has been the shooting efficiency of Karl-Anthony Towns, who, despite earning an All-Star selection in February 2026, is navigating a career-low shooting season. Towns has seen his field goal percentage at the rim drop by 9%, and his catch-and-shoot three-point accuracy has declined by over 10%, leading to internal discussions about offensive adjustments heading into the postseason.
The burden of leadership and offensive production has largely fallen on Jalen Brunson, who continues to establish himself as one of the league’s premier closers. Brunson’s February has been characterized by high-volume scoring, including a 33-point performance in a recent loss to Detroit and a masterful 18-point fourth-quarter comeback against Houston. To support Brunson, the Knicks’ front office has been aggressive in the trade and buyout markets. The acquisition of Jose Alvarado provided a sparkplug defender and secondary playmaker, while the more recent signing of Jeremy Sochan off the buyout market has added a “Swiss Army Knife” defensive presence.
The Chicago Bulls have reached a pivotal juncture in their organizational history, as evidenced by a 24-33 record and a twelfth-place standing in the Eastern Conference. The month of February 2026 has been defined by a radical deconstruction of the roster, as executive ArtÅ«ras Karnišovas moved several franchise cornerstones at the trade deadline. This “fire sale” saw the departures of Coby White, Nikola Vucevic, and Ayo Dosunmu, signaling a definitive pivot toward a long-term rebuild and a strategic pursuit of a top selection in the 2026 NBA Draft. The team is currently enduring an eight-game losing streak, a product of significant roster turnover and a lack of on-court chemistry among the newly acquired pieces.
How to watch New York Knicks vs Chicago Bulls online – national and local U.S. TV channels & live streams
The domestic television landscape for this matchup is primarily defined by regional sports networks (RSNs). In the New York market, coverage is anchored by MSG Network, which continues to provide the primary feed for the Knicks’ pursuit of a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference. For viewers in the Chicago market, the broadcast will air on the Chicago Sports Network (CHSN), the recently established primary home for Bulls’ regular-season content.
While most Bulls games are relegated to CHSN, select nationally televised windows throughout the season have utilized platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, ESPN, and Peacock; however, for the February 22 encounter, the RSNs remain the exclusive linear providers in their respective territories.
Digital and streaming accessibility has expanded significantly by early 2026. Fubo remains a critical partner for NBA fans, offering a streaming service that integrates regional sports networks like MSG and CHSN into its standard sports packages. This allows cord-cutters within the local markets to maintain access to live game feeds without traditional cable subscriptions.
How to watch New York Knicks vs Chicago Bulls internationally
If you are outside of the USA, the NBA game between New York Knicks vs Chicago Bulls should be available to livestream with an NBA League Pass.
Please be aware that livestream rights vary by country and depend on local broadcast deals. NBA games that aren’t shown live on NBA League Pass are usually later made available on-demand.
Stream internationally on League PassHow to watch anywhere with VPN
If you are abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as ExpressVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming.
Probable Starting Lineups
Jalen Brunson is slated to start at point guard, serving as the primary initiator and averaging 27.1 points per game this season. He will be paired in the backcourt by Mikal Bridges, who provides elite perimeter defense and has maintained a presence as a high-minute ironman. On the wing, OG Anunoby is expected to start after being cleared from a toe injury, offering the Knicks their most versatile defensive weapon against Chicago’s perimeter threats. The frontcourt will be anchored by Karl-Anthony Towns at center, who the team hopes will find his rhythm in pick-and-roll situations, and Josh Hart, whose rebounding (3.4 per game) and transition play are essential for the Knicks’ pace-down strategy. This unit is supported by a rejuvenated bench featuring Jose Alvarado and the newly signed Jeremy Sochan, who are expected to provide the defensive intensity necessary to disrupt Chicago’s fast-paced offense.
The Chicago Bulls’ projected starting five is a direct reflection of their recent trade deadline maneuvers and a rash of backcourt injuries. With Jaden Ivey (knee) and Anfernee Simons (wrist) both officially ruled out for this contest, the Bulls are forced to lean on a more makeshift rotation. Josh Giddey is expected to start at point guard but will likely remain on a minutes restriction as he continues his return from a hamstring injury. Collin Sexton is projected to start at shooting guard, tasked with the bulk of the scoring responsibility after the departure of Coby White. Isaac Okoro, another recent acquisition, will start at small forward, providing a defensive counter to Jalen Brunson. The frontcourt will feature Matas Buzelis at power forward, where he has thrived as a secondary scorer and weak-side shot blocker, alongside Jalen Smith at center. Smith’s return from a calf strain provides the Bulls with a modern “stretch five” who can pull Karl-Anthony Towns away from the rim, though his primary challenge will be contending with the Knicks’ superior offensive rebounding.
Head-to-Head Series History
In their initial meeting on October 31, 2025, the Bulls secured a high-octane 135-125 victory at the United Center, which at the time appeared to validate their veteran-led offensive approach. However, the Knicks quickly recalibrated, winning the subsequent matchup on November 2, 2025, with a score of 128-116 behind a clinical 130.4 offensive rating. The series continued its seesaw nature throughout the autumn; the Bulls managed a narrow 124-123 win on November 14, while the Knicks dominated the January 5, 2026, contest with a 139-126 final score.
Over the course of these four games, the “over” has been a consistent trend, hitting in nearly 85% of their most recent head-to-head encounters. While the all-time regular season series favors Chicago with 131 wins to New York’s 120, the current divergence in team objectives-New York’s contention versus Chicago’s rebuilding-suggests that historical trends may take a backseat to current roster disparities.