The Chicago Bulls head into a tough road matchup on Friday night against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, and they have delivered a significant update regarding one of their key players. Following a lopsided 145-126 home loss to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday—where standout guard Josh Giddey did not play—the Bulls announced that Giddey (hamstring) has been listed as questionable for Friday’s contest.
The announcement comes as a potential blow for Chicago, which is already navigating a challenging stretch of the season. Giddey missed the Pacers game due to hamstring tightness, and the team appears to be exercising caution with the versatile playmaker as the regular season winds down.
Giddey’s Strong Season in Context
Despite the injury concern, Giddey has enjoyed another impressive campaign in his second year with the Bulls. Through 53 games, the Australian guard is averaging 17.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 9.2 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. He has shot 45.1% from the field and 36.9% from beyond the three-point arc.
Giddey has emerged as a central figure in Chicago’s offense, showcasing elite playmaking ability and improved scoring. His recent form has been particularly notable, including a stretch where he recorded multiple triple-doubles. On March 14, the Bulls highlighted a milestone achievement: “Josh Giddey passes MJ in all-time triple-doubles,” after he posted 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Clippers—his third triple-double in the past four games at that time.
The former Oklahoma City Thunder first-round pick signed a four-year, $100 million contract with the Bulls in the offseason, underscoring the franchise’s commitment to building around his talents.
Bulls’ Struggles Continue
The Bulls enter Friday’s game as the 12th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 29-47 record through 76 games. They are currently mired in a five-game losing streak and have gone just 2-8 over their last 10 contests. On the road, Chicago has struggled mightily, posting an 11-26 record in 37 away games.
With the playoffs well out of reach, the focus for the Bulls has shifted toward player health and evaluation heading into the offseason. After facing the Knicks, Chicago will return home on Sunday to host the Phoenix Suns.
Knicks Poised for Strong Home Showing
The Knicks, by contrast, are in excellent form as they prepare to host the Bulls. New York sits as the second seed (or third in some reports, but firmly in contention) in the Eastern Conference with a strong 49-28 record through 77 games. They have won seven of their last 10 games and boast a dominant 27-9 mark at Madison Square Garden.
Led by All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson, the Knicks are eyeing a potential 50th win of the season and will look to capitalize on Chicago’s recent woes and injury uncertainty. Following Friday’s matchup, New York will travel to Atlanta to face the Hawks on Monday.
Looking Back at Last Season
The disparity between the two franchises remains evident when reflecting on the previous year. The Bulls missed the NBA playoffs for the third consecutive season, while the Knicks made a deep run, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years.
As the Bulls take the floor in Manhattan—potentially without Giddey—the spotlight will be on how they respond without their triple-double threat. If Giddey is unable to play, Chicago will need contributions from the supporting cast to keep the game competitive against a Knicks team hungry for another victory at home.
Friday’s matchup at 7:30 p.m. ET promises to highlight the contrasting trajectories of these Eastern Conference teams, with the Giddey injury announcement adding an extra layer of intrigue to an already lopsided affair on paper.