The Chicago Bulls didn’t need a single star to take over on their way to a 124-117 win over the Phoenix Suns. They had too many hands in the pot for that. Five Bulls finished in double figures, the bench supplied real punch, and the offense kept humming without leaning on one scorer to do the heavy lifting.
That balance was the story of the night. Caleb Wilson paced Chicago with 15 points, while Matas Buzelis, Jalen Smith and Norman Powell all got in the mix with 13 or more. Powell’s night stood out for its efficiency: 14 points on just four field-goal attempts, with all three of his threes falling and five of six free throws converted.
And the production didn’t stop with the starters. Leonard Miller delivered 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting, Tobe Awaka added 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Tre Jones chipped in 10 points and six assists.
Brandon Boston Jr. also gave Chicago eight points and three assists. That kind of spread makes life miserable for a defense, because there was no single Bull Phoenix could zero in on and shut down.
Josh Giddey was part of that machine even without a big scoring line. He finished with seven points, seven assists and three rebounds, going 1-for-6 from the field, but his fingerprints were all over the flow of the game. Chicago ended with 30 assists on 42 made field goals, a 71% assist rate, and Giddey helped keep the ball moving and the offense connected.
The Bulls’ bench was especially important once the game settled in. Miller and Awaka combined for 28 points and 12 rebounds, while Patrick Williams added six points and Drew Peterson contributed three points and three assists.
For a team trying to establish itself as a legitimate playoff threat, that kind of depth matters. Over the course of a season, second-unit production can swing nights like this one.
Buzelis offered another encouraging layer to his game. He finished with 14 points, three rebounds, one assist, two steals and two blocks, showing plenty more than just scoring touch.
He went 6-for-15 overall, and while the three-ball wasn’t there - 0-for-6 from deep - his activity on defense stood out. That’s the kind of performance that boosts his value, especially if he keeps growing into a two-way contributor.
Phoenix had its own individual bright spots, but not enough collective force to match Chicago’s consistency. Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 24 points on 7-for-9 shooting, including three made threes. Jalen Green scored 12, Devin Booker finished with 11, Khaman Maluach added eight points and seven rebounds, and Jamaree Bouyea scored 12.
Still, the Bulls were sharper as a group. They shot 51% from the field and 36% from three, while Phoenix finished at 48% overall and 31% from deep.
Chicago also had five fewer turnovers and five more assists. In the end, that was the difference.
In Other News...
Suns Show Promise But The Same Problem Keeps Undermining It
The Suns had another preseason chance to show that the early flashes from a reshaped roster can translate into something sturdier, and for stretches against the Bulls, they did just that. Phoenix came out well enough to build an early lead, with Dillon Brooks and Jordan Goodwin among the players who provided encouraging signs, even as Rasheer Fleming and Khaman Maluach had quieter nights.
But the same issue that has a way of undoing good stretches showed up again, and it cost the Suns in a 124-117 loss to Chicago. Turnovers helped undercut the momentum, and the late-game unraveling turned what had been a promising night into a second straight preseason defeat, leaving Phoenix still searching for a way to make those better moments last. [Read more 🡒]
Suns Already Have What The Rockets Are Desperately Chasing
Marcus Smarts arrival in Houston is the latest sign the Rockets are still trying to fill the kind of edge Dillon Brooks brought them last season, with the veteran guard added in hopes of adding defense, toughness and a steadier presence on the perimeter. The fit question is obvious enough from a Suns perspective, because Brooks has long been the sort of high-energy irritant who can change a game without needing the ball, and he has already shown he can matter in both Phoenix and Houston.
Smart comes with a different profile, one that invites a comparison to what the Suns value when they piece together their rotation. The broader argument is less about who is better on paper and more about who matches a teams needs, and in that sense the Suns may already have the type of playmaking, physicality and lineup versatility Houston is still trying to chase. [Read more 🡒]
Miles Bridges Injury Scare Wont Stop A Big Suns Evaluation
Miles Bridges early exit from a preseason game with a right ankle injury briefly tightened the mood around the Suns, but the initial read out of the team was more relief than concern. Head coach Jordan Ott said Bridges has a chance to play in the upcoming game against the San Antonio Spurs, and Collin Gillespie said Bridges reported feeling fine afterward, which at least keeps the situation from sounding like anything more than a precautionary scare.
Still, Phoenix is treating the preseason for what it is: a window to look at the rest of the roster while keeping an eye on Bridges recovery. The injury note adds a little uncertainty, but it does not change the broader purpose of these games, which is to sort through rotation questions and get a better read on the players who will matter once the real games begin. [Read more 🡒]