Can the Suns end their three-game skid in Chicago?
Who: Phoenix Suns (26-29) vs. Chicago Bulls (22-34)
When: 3:00 pm Arizona Time
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Watch: AZFamily, Suns Live
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Phoenix Suns will face the Chicago Bulls for the first time this season. The message remains the same as their first game out of the break, which was a loss to the San Antonio Spurs: time is running short, and they face one of their easier matchups left in the season.
With the Bulls trading away Zach Lavine before the trade deadline, Chicago lacks regular offensive contributors. Since the trade, the Bulls are 0-5. They just suffered a demoralizing loss to the New York Knicks on Thursday; they had a chance to win the game in regulation, and then couldn’t handle business in overtime.
Now, with 27 games left on their season, the Suns are 26-29 and have one of the toughest remaining schedules in the league.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
- Cody Martin — OUT (Sports Hernia)
- Jalen Bridges — OUT (G League – Two Way)
Bulls
- Ayo Dosunmu — QUESTIONABLE (Left Shoulder Soreness)
- Josh Giddey — PROBABLE (Right Wrist Sprain)
- E.J. Liddell — OUT (G League – Two Way)
- Emmanuel Miller — OUT (G League – Two Way)
- Jalen Smith — OUT (Concussion)
- Nikola Vučević — PROBABLE (Right Posterior Tibialis Soreness)
- Patrick Williams — OUT (Right Quadricep Tendon Tendinosis)
- Jahmir Young — OUT (G League – Two Way)
Uniform Matchup
What to Watch For
Do the Suns guards bounce back after a tough game?
Devin Booker had a tough outing last game, going for 17 points on 4-14 shooting and four turnovers. The Suns’ all-time leading scorer hasn’t had more than 24 since his 47-point outing against the Utah Jazz on February 7th. Additionally, Tyus Jones had one of his worst shooting performances of the season, scoring just points on 1-9 from the field and 1-6 from three.
While they struggle offensively, Chicago’s perimeter defenders Lonzo Ball and Josh Giddey provide length and agility, giving Booker and Jones a challenge to slice up Chicago’s defense.
With Kevin Durant carrying so much of an offensive load in the starting lineup, Booker and Jones stepping up would give him relief.
More Ryan Dunn?
Much was made of Ryan Dunn playing 20 seconds last game. Many in Suns media went online and voiced their opinions on the matter.
When both Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro are DNP-CDs at halftime pic.twitter.com/KT5UbA6oEo
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) February 21, 2025
I’m beyond tired of a team that plays no defense sitting Ryan Dunn, the one guy who can play defense, the whole game. Help me make sense of this? WTF is Bud doing? Is he not watchingFox drive by Grayson time and time again with by the way zero help defense. Memo to BUD – WAKE UP
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) February 21, 2025
Phoenix struggled last game defensively, especially to start and end the game. After much being made of him barely playing in the team’s last contest, does the rising star play more time in this one?
Key to a Suns Win
It’s the same thing no matter the opponent with the Valley. Can they string together a consistent 48 minutes? Whether they’re playing the Washington Wizards or the 96 Bulls, the team has no chance if they can’t play the same throughout a full game. Chicago is one of the worst teams in the NBA this month and haven’t won since February 4th. Can the Valley capitalize on this?
Prediction
The Suns are bad, but the Bulls are even worse. I don’t know how or why, but Phoenix will take care of business and end their three-game skid. It probably won’t be a pretty win.
Suns 113, Bulls 107
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