Lose this game, and it could lead to three straight losses.
The All-Star break was not a great weekend for Knicks fans. The lead-up to it was great with Jalen Brunson, and Karl-Anthony Towns teaming up to become the first pair of Knicks teammates to start an All-Star game in 50 years. But the festivities themselves were rather lackluster. Brunson, for the second straight year, was eliminated in the first round of the three-point contest, and the All-Star game itself was less entertaining, and more annoying than the game has ever been. While it was somewhat nice having a few days off from the Knicks causing minor heart attacks with close games, it’s nice to have them, and real basketball back.
Tonight, the Knicks will look to kick off its post-All-Star stretch with a home game against the 22-33 Bulls, who have already won the season series against the Knicks with a pair of wins coming earlier this season. Thankfully for the Knicks though, the retooling Bulls will look different this time around as Zach LaVine, who was traded to the Kings prior to the trade deadline, is no longer with the team. This is a significant blow to the Bulls’ chances of sweeping the season series against the Knicks as the explosive wing averaged 32PPG, and 7.5APG against New York this season.
That being said, the Knicks will look a bit different as well. While OG Anunoby has been practicing with no restrictions, the forward, who played in the Knicks’ two prior meetings against the Bulls, is still listed as questionable with the same foot injury that has kept him out since February 1st.
Tom Thibodeau says that OG Anunoby is practicing with no restrictions and Mitchell Robinson is cleared for 5-on-5 contact: pic.twitter.com/N3d0nbikuU
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) February 19, 2025
On top of that, Josh Hart, who had been dealing with knee soreness, has been listed as out for tonight’s game with patellofemoral syndrome, while Mitchell Robinson remains out with the same ankle injury that has kept him out the entire season.
Josh Hart has patellofemoral syndrome in his right knee and is listed as OUT for tomorrow’s game versus Chicago
— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) February 19, 2025
Prediction
Anunoby and Hart are clearly very crucial to what the Knicks do. The former is one of the best defenders in the league, and the team looks, and plays, significantly better when he is on the floor. And the latter is having the best season of his career and is the connector that makes the starting lineup click on most nights. Missing either of them leaves a Knicks team that already struggles with depth, incredibly shorthanded, and missing both of them would be difficult for them to overcome. But the Knicks are still the more talented team. Both Brunson, and Towns are good to go, and if Mikal Bridges can regain the form he had earlier this season, then the Knicks should have the three best players on the court tonight.
Given the Knicks’ lack of depth, and struggle to defend, this game may be closer than some fans would like it to be, but coming off of a long break, there is no reason that the Knicks shouldn’t win this game. And they’ll need this win with the dominant Cavaliers, and the Celtics on the schedule tomorrow, and Sunday. Expect Towns, who is averaging an absurd 45PPG, and 13RPG against the Bulls this season, to be spectacular once again, and help lead the Knicks to a 120-110 win to avoid the season sweep.
Game Details
Date: Thursday, February 20, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
TV Broadcast: MSG Network
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky