The Chicago Bulls have met the annual All-Star break with a losing record in three consecutive seasons. In 2023, their record was 26-33, which was good for 11th in the Eastern Conference. In 2024, they were a tad better, at 26-29, and were in 9th place. Currently, they are 22-33 and 10th in the East.
However, unlike recent seasons, Chicago isn't projected to be competitive post-All-Star break. The Bulls traded their best player, Zach LaVine, days before the deadline, only to acquire a first-rounder and role players Kevin Huerter, Tre Jones, and Zach Collins. Early results have been positive. Chicago has lost four in a row, and the newbies have been afterthoughts in Billy Donovan's rotations.
While a losing streak is an atypical indicator of positivity, it's encouraging to witness the Chicago Front Office finally deciding on a direction. The Bulls no longer aim to reach the Play-In Tournament. Sights are set on the future, namely the NBA Draft, after recouping their first-round pick from the San Antonio Spurs.
The future is certainly of the essence, but after an eight-day hiatus, the Bulls resume basketball on February 20 in a bout against the New York Knicks. New York is in quite a different position than that of their Eastern Conference counterpart. The Knicks are 36-18 thus far, firmly in third in the East, two-and-a-half games behind the Boston Celtics and five-and-a-half games ahead of the fifth-place Indiana Pacers.
The Bulls have a chance to sweep the season series against the Knicks
The Knicks will be granted the opportunity to inch closer to the second-place Celtics on Thursday night. Boston will take on the 11th-place Philadelphia 76ers earlier in the evening. While the 20-34 Sixers are an afterthought in the East, they're no slouch. Philadelphia recently made a free-agent acquisition, demonstrating that their season isn't over with Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey in tow.
Before prematurely crowning the Knicks as winners over the faltering Bulls, it must be noted that Chicago is 2-0 this season against New York. The Bulls defeated the Knicks in early November, 124-123 behind three Coby White free throws with less than five seconds remaining.
The Bulls' most recent victory over the Knicks occurred on January 4. White led Chicago to victory, scoring 33 points and connecting on 9-of-11 three-pointers. The Bulls were able to hold off the Knicks despite a strong 44-point effort from Karl-Anthony Towns.
Both contests featured a healthy Knicks squad, and this Thursday's contest should be no different. New York forward OG Anunoby has missed five straight games but should be back for the Knicks' first game after the All-Star break. Furthermore, big man Mitchell Robinson, who has yet to suit up this season, could be making his return to the hardwood against Chicago.
Sure, New York's rotation will look similar, but Chicago will be without LaVine, who averaged 32.0 points against the Knicks in the first two contests. The Bulls will instead rely on White, Nikola Vucevic, and rookie first-rounder Matas Buzelis to sweep these Knicks.