KEY POINTS
- Collin Sexton scored 30 points to lead a depleted Chicago Bulls roster to a surprising 115-108 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
- The Bulls played without several key starters, including Zach LaVine and Josh Giddey, making the road win even more improbable.
- Despite 28 points from Devin Booker, Phoenix struggled with fourth-quarter turnovers and failed to capitalize on the Bulls’ shorthanded lineup.
In a display of grit and offensive efficiency, Collin Sexton carried an undermanned Chicago Bulls squad to a gritty 115-108 win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night. Sexton’s 30-point performance was the catalyst for an offense that many expected to stall given the absence of high-profile starters Zach LaVine and Josh Giddey due to lingering injuries.
Sexton was aggressive from the opening tip, repeatedly attacking the Suns’ interior defense and finishing with 11-of-18 shooting from the floor. He was particularly effective in the third quarter, scoring 12 points to help Chicago erase a seven-point halftime deficit. The Bulls’ bench also stepped up, with rookie Matas Buzelis contributing a career-high 16 points and providing crucial defensive energy during the closing minutes.
The Phoenix Suns, currently fighting for home-court advantage in the Western Conference, appeared lethargic for much of the second half. Devin Booker led the Suns with 28 points, but the team’s offense became stagnant in the fourth quarter. Kevin Durant added 22 points but was limited by double-teams, leading to several uncharacteristic turnovers that the Bulls quickly converted into transition points.
Chicago’s victory marks a significant morale boost for a team that has been plagued by inconsistency and health issues throughout the 2025-26 season. Head coach Billy Donovan praised the “next man up” mentality of his roster, specifically highlighting Sexton’s leadership on the floor. “Collin set the tone for us today. He played with a level of intensity that everyone else fed off of,” Donovan told reporters post-game.
For Phoenix, the loss is a missed opportunity to gain ground in a crowded Western Conference standings. Head coach Mike Budenholzer expressed disappointment with the team’s defensive execution, noting that allowing a shorthanded Bulls team to shoot over 50% from the field was “unacceptable.” The Suns will need to regroup quickly as they head into a difficult stretch of divisional games.
The Bulls’ victory keeps them within striking distance of the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. If Sexton can maintain this level of scoring while the team awaits the return of its stars, Chicago could become a dangerous spoiler in the final month of the regular season. The team now heads to Salt Lake City for a matchup against the Jazz, while the Suns prepare to host the Lakers on Sunday.
