The Big Three have their best game of the season as Bradley Beal starts for the first time since January.
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Chicago Bulls 121-117 Saturday, improving to 27-29 on the season and getting their first win since the All-Star Break and first since February 7th. Bradley Beal had his first start for the Suns since January 4th, and he, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker led the team to victory. The three of them combined for 81 points.
It was much closer than it should have been, but after going down early, the team responded and won, a contrast from what they did on Thursday against the San Antonio Spurs.
It was a much-needed win for the Valley, Chicago is one of the worst opponents they have left on the schedule.
Top Performers
Devin Booker — 29 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds
Kevin Durant — 27 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists
Bradley Beal — 25 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists
Josh Giddey — 24 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds
Game Flow
First Half
The Suns started the game missing their first seven shots. They still couldn’t muster much offense once they broke their lid on the rim; it took them more than eight minutes into the contest to eclipse double-digits as Chicago built an early 12-point lead. Chicago was up 30-20 after the first quarter.
From the broadcast, the arena sounded tepid. Not a lot of enthusiasm could be heard after Chicago’s positive plays. After the Bulls extended their lead to 13, Bradley Beal and Mason Plumlee went on their own 8-0 run in front of the Bulls crowd, leading Chicago to call a timeout. In his first start in over a month, Beal was aggressive on offense, helping the Suns stay in the contest. The team went 9/9 to start the second quarter.
Brad knocks it down pic.twitter.com/ILMYjhWbQp
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 22, 2025
Something the Suns didn’t do much of in the first half was lead, but Phoenix’s hot second quarter shooting helped them go into the half leading the Bulls 60-58. Kevin Durant, Beal, and Booker combined for 37 points.
Second Half
Phoenix slowly extended their lead throughout the first half of the third, eventually extending it to double digits. While there’s been a lot of bad with the Suns of late, the fact that the Big Three had a strong performance for Beal’s first start in a while is a sign that the team emphasized getting the ball to their best players in ideal spots for them to score.
Devin Booker, you are indeed 1 of 1. pic.twitter.com/Xf7Deichri
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 22, 2025
Chicago responded to the Suns strong third quarter start and Phoenix led 93-90 after being up more for most of the frame.
It took the Suns less than 100 seconds into the fourth for the Suns to extend their lead back to double digits. Durant, along with Plumlee were the main stars in the quick 7-0 run. With about six minutes left, Chicago cut the lead to three. The Suns started to get sloppy with the ball and gave Chicago life.
With about three minutes left, Mike Budenholzer called timeout. After the break up 111-108, The Bulls tied the game after a Coby White and-one, but Durant got to the line a few times to help the Suns go up four. A few moments later, Devin Booker hit a clutch three that looked like it sealed the game, but it was actually Bradley Beal’s three to put them up six that sealed the deal.
Up Next
The Valley will make their only trip to Canada of the season. They’ll face the Toronto Raptors tomorrow at 4 pm Arizona time. Last year, Phoenix lost to their road game to Toronto, will this year be different?
John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
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