How to watch Toronto Raptors @ Chicago Bulls NBA game: Tip-off time, cable channels, RSNs
The National Basketball Association's 2025-26 regular season resumes with a high-stakes Eastern Conference clash as the Toronto Raptors travel to the United Center to face the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, February 19, 2026. This matchup serves as a critical post-All-Star break litmus test for two franchises currently operating on divergent trajectories within the conference hierarchy. The Toronto Raptors enter the contest as one of the most resurgent stories of the season, currently holding a 32-23 record and occupying the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference standings. Conversely, the Chicago Bulls, with a 24-31 record, find themselves in eleventh place, desperately attempting to halt a six-game losing streak that has undermined their push for a play-in tournament position.
Under the leadership of head coach Darko Rajakovic, the organization has emphasized a modern, high-IQ offensive system that prioritizes ball movement and the unique versatility of its primary stars. The central narrative of the Raptors' season has been the extraordinary chemistry developed between Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram.
Scottie Barnes, in his fifth professional season, has firmly established himself as the face of the franchise. Averaging 19.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game, Barnes provides a multi-categorical impact that few players in the league can replicate. His selection as an Eastern Conference All-Star reserve for the 2026 game in Los Angeles was widely viewed as a deserved recognition of his defensive dominance and playmaking growth. Barnes' ability to initiate the offense at 6'8" creates significant matchup problems for smaller backcourts, a factor that will be critical against Chicago's guard-heavy rotation.
The Chicago Bulls arrive at the February 19 contest in a state of profound flux, navigating one of the most dramatic mid-season overhauls in recent NBA history. Entering the 2026 trade deadline, the Bulls front office, led by Arturas Karnisovas, executed a massive pivot by moving veteran core pieces such as Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, and Ayo Dosunmu in exchange for a plethora of second-round picks and youthful talent. This strategy, while controversial among some segments of the fanbase, was designed to retool the roster around high-upside playmakers like Josh Giddey and the rookie Matas Buzelis.
Currently mired in a six-game losing streak, the Bulls have struggled to find tactical cohesion amid the roster turnover. The team's defensive deficiencies have been particularly glaring, as they rank twenty-seventh in the league in opponent points per game, allowing 120.6 points per contest. The absence of a traditional veteran rim protector following the Vucevic trade has left rookie Matas Buzelis and newcomer Nick Richards with an immense defensive burden.
How to watch Toronto Raptors @ Chicago Bulls online - national and local U.S. TV channels & live streams
The game is scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 2026, with an official tip-off time set for 8:00 p.m. ET. The contest will take place at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, a venue that has historically provided a significant home-court advantage for the Bulls, though recent results have challenged that trend. This fixture marks a pivotal moment for both teams as they transition into the final third of the regular season, with Toronto looking to solidify its playoff positioning and Chicago attempting to integrate several high-impact players acquired during a hyperactive trade deadline.Fans in the local markets and across North America have multiple options for viewing the game through traditional cable and regional sports networks.
In the Chicago metropolitan area and surrounding regions, the game will be broadcast live on the Chicago Sports Network (CHSN). This network remains the primary home for Bulls coverage following the team's recent shift in broadcasting partners.
For viewers in Canada, the game will be carried by SportsNet, ensuring national coverage across the Raptors' primary market. SportsNet's coverage typically includes pre-game analysis, halftime reports, and extensive post-game breakdowns featuring former players and technical analysts.
How to watch Toronto Raptors @ Chicago Bulls internationally
If you are outside of the USA, the NBA game between Toronto Raptors @ Chicago Bulls should be available to livestream with an NBA League Pass.
Please be aware that livestream rights vary by country and depend on local broadcast deals. NBA games that aren't shown live on NBA League Pass are usually later made available on-demand.
Stream internationally on League Pass
How to watch anywhere with VPN
If you are abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as ExpressVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming.
Probable Starting Lineups
The Toronto Raptors are expected to field a standard starting unit led by point guard Immanuel Quickley, who has averaged 17.0 points and 6.1 assists this season while providing essential perimeter spacing. He is joined in the backcourt by RJ Barrett, whose downhill aggression and secondary playmaking have been vital to the team's transition game. The forward positions will be occupied by the All-Star duo of Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes, both of whom provide elite length and multi-level scoring. Jakob Poeltl is slated to start at center, having recently returned from a back injury to stabilize the Raptors' rim protection. The Raptors' bench will be bolstered by the availability of rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, who is expected to play through a lingering thumb injury that did not prevent him from appearing in the Rising Stars event. However, Sandro Mamukelashvili is listed as questionable with a right rib contusion, which could lead to increased minutes for Trayce Jackson-Davis or Jonathan Mogbo.
The Chicago Bulls' starting lineup remains in a state of transition as Wes Unseld Jr. attempts to find the optimal balance among his new players. Josh Giddey is confirmed to start at point guard after practicing fully following a minor hamstring issue. He will be joined by the recently acquired Anfernee Simons, who immediately assumes the role of primary perimeter threat. Jaden Ivey, another trade deadline acquisition, is expected to start at small forward, providing elite athleticism and transition scoring.
The frontcourt will likely feature rookie Matas Buzelis at power forward, where he has been a rare bright spot for the Bulls' defense with 1.5 blocks per game, and Nick Richards at center to combat the size of Poeltl. The Bulls' injury report remains substantial; while Giddey and Jalen Smith are expected to play, the team will be without Zach Collins due to a toe injury and Noa Essengue, who is out for the season with a shoulder injury. Tre Jones is also considered day-to-day with a hamstring strain, potentially leaving the Bulls thin at the backup point guard position.
Head-to-Head Series History
In their most recent encounter on February 5, 2026, the Raptors secured a commanding 123-107 victory at Scotiabank Arena, easily covering the 7.5-point spread. During that game, Toronto's superior depth was evident, particularly in the frontcourt where the Bulls had no answer for the Raptors' interior length. Sandro Mamukelashvili emerged as an unlikely hero in that matchup, contributing 17 points and three steals off the bench, highlighting a bench scoring advantage that has plagued the Bulls throughout the season.
Historical data from the 2024-25 season shows that Chicago previously held a competitive edge, winning three of four matchups, but those results featured a Bulls roster anchored by veteran contributors like Vucevic and White who are no longer with the organization.
