Coming into this season, Chicago Bulls fans knew they were going to be witnessing the beginning stages of another rebuild.

What they did not know--or rather, what they didn't seem to remember--is that the beginning stages of a rebuild coincide with the most losing you will witness as a fan of an NBA franchise. Chicago has opened the season with a 1-6 record, ranking among the bottom five teams in defensive and offensive efficiency. 

The Bulls lost 126-107 to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night, getting torn apart in the fourth quarter after keeping the game close throughout. Chicago's loss to Philadelphia stretched a losing streak that is now at five games heading into Wednesday's matchup with the reigning NBA champions.

Chicago got close to their second win the first time they faced the New York Knicks. New York escaped the United Center with a 133-127 victory on October 28th. 

It was yet another game where an inability to close out fourth quarters sank the (mostly) inexperienced Bulls. Chicago's most experienced player, Norman Powell, was a major factor in the initial Bulls-Knicks game.

In that narrow loss, Powell dropped a season-high 30 points, including 4-of-9 shooting from three-point range and nine free throw attempts. 

Powell is still scoring well for Chicago, but his playmaking and efficiency is leaving much to be desired. He has 12 assists and 12 turnovers through six games.

The Bulls are leading the league in free throw attempts per game (34.3), and Powell getting to the charity stripe at a career-best rate--generating free throw attempts on a ridiculous 68% of his field goal attempts through six games--is a big part of that. Once his three-point shooting bounces back, Powell is a safe bet to hit a career-best scoring average as long as he's in Chicago. 

The Knicks are in a bit of a funk offensively, coming off a win over the Brooklyn Nets in which they only put up 103 points. But the reigning NBA Champion Knicks have brought high intensity on defense, and their familiarity with each other and Mike Brown's system shows every night. 

Despite the Knicks possessing a great defense, the Bulls actually had one of their better offensive performances of the season against them.

In the Bulls' narrow 133-127 loss to the Knicks on October 28th, they shot 43% from the three-point line on 42 attempts. Powell's 3-point outburst stole the show, but Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis combined for 37 points, including six made three-pointers between them. 

There are no moral victories in the NBA, but Chicago Bulls faithful would be content with the team at least hanging around with the Knicks on Wednesday night. This current five-game losing streak has included three blowout losses.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of the second Bulls-Knicks matchup of the season:

Chicago Bulls (1-6) @ New York Knicks (3-4)

Location: Madison Square Garden | New York, N.Y.

Tipoff: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. CT

TV: Chicago Sports Network

Radio: 104.3 FM The Score

Betting Line (FanDuel): Knicks -12.5 (-112), Bulls +12.5 (-108)

Moneyline: Knicks -600, Bulls +450

Over/Under: 234.5

The sites encourage responsible gambling and provide resources for help. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. The National Council on Problem Gambling help line can be reached at 1-800-522-4700.

Jalen Smith: Probable (Left Finger Sprain)

Nic Claxton: Questionable (Left Hamstring Strain)

New York Knicks

Josh Hart: Questionable: (Right Ankle Soreness)