The Chicago Bulls welcome the Toronto Raptors at the United Center after an All-Star break.
After a brief All-Star Break — one where Chicago’s own Matas Buzelis represented the city well in the Rising Stars Challenge — Bulls basketball is back at the United Center. With just 27 games remaining, the Bulls (24-31) enter the second half of the season with a renewed sense of urgency and a healthier roster.
The headline for tonight’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors (32-23) is the return of the cavalry: Josh Giddey, Tre Jones, and Jalen Smith are all listed as probable, finally giving Chicago the depth it has lacked during grueling weeks.
The Bulls certainly need the reinforcements as they look to snap a demoralizing six-game losing streak. However, the bench will look a little different tonight, as the interim head coach, Wes Unseld Jr., takes the reins temporarily while Billy Donovan attends his father's funeral. Unseld Jr. faces the immediate challenge of balancing a guard-heavy rotation that now includes Giddey, Collin Sexton, Anfernee Simons and Tre Jones. The key will be whether this smaller, faster lineup can leverage its pace (ranking 5th in the NBA) to mask a fragile interior defense that has struggled to protect the rim in Vucevic's absence.
Standing in their way is a surging Toronto squad that has won six of its last ten and currently sits 5th in the Eastern Conference. These teams last met two weeks ago, a 123-107 loss amid Brandon Ingram's 33-point performance. With Ingram, All-Star Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley leading a defensive rating that ranks 7th in the league, the Raptors represent a massive hurdle. If Chicago still hopes for a Play-In seat, the turnaround has to start tonight.
How to Watch
Toronto Raptors (32-23) vs. Chicago Bulls (24-31)
Location: United Center | Chicago, IL
Tipoff: Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. CT
TV: Chicago Sports Network (CHSN), Sportsnet | Announcers: Adam Amin, Stacey King Radio: WSCR AM 670 | Announcers: Chuck Swirsky, Bill Wennington
Betting Odds (FanDuel)
Betting Line: Raptors -6.5
Moneyline: Raptors -225, Bulls +188
Over/Under: 233.5
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Injury Report
Chicago Bulls
- Josh Giddey: Probable (Left Hamstring)
- Tre Jones: Probable (Left Hamstring)
- Jalen Smith: Probable (Right Calf)
- Zach Collins: Out (Right Big Toe)
- Noa Essengue: Out for Season (Left Shoulder)
- Yuki Kawamura / Mac McClung: Out (G League/Two-Way)
Toronto Raptors
- Collin Murray-Boyles: Probable (Left Thumb)
- Sandro Mamukelashvili: Questionable (Right Rib Contusion)
- Alijah Martin: Out (G League/Two-Way)
Last Game Starters
Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics (Feb. 11)
- G Collin Sexton
- G Anfernee Simons
- F Patrick Williams
- F Matas Buzelis
- C Guerschon Yabusele
Toronto Raptors vs. Detroit Pistons (Feb. 11)
- G Immanuel Quickley
- G RJ Barrett
- F Brandon Ingram
- F Scottie Barnes
- C Jakob Poeltl