Game Recap: Suns hold off Bulls and climb back into Play In race, winning 127-121

Devin Booker goes for 41 points as the Suns win consecutive games for the first time since January.

The Phoenix Suns defeated the Chicago Bulls for the second time this season, winning 127-121. And with a Dallas loss, they’ve clawed their way back into the Play-In conversation, now sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference standings. This marks the first time since February 9 that the Suns have been in 10th, and the first time since January 27 that they’ve won consecutive games.

The victory comes as the team continues to integrate youth into the rotation, and it’s clear that the whole squad is showing growth on the defensive end. Their improved connectivity and disruptive play are leading to more possessions, and with their offensive talent, the Suns are more than capable of capitalizing on these extra opportunities.

Devin Booker was the standout performer, leading all scorers with 41 points on 14-of-26 shooting. It wasn’t just his scoring that stood out; his energy and playmaking seemed to spark the entire team, which appeared to be having as much fun as he was. Kevin Durant added 26 points, Nick Richards chipped in 18 points, and Ryan Dunn contributed 18 as well.

The Bulls were led by 24 points each from Coby White and Nikola Vucevic, with Josh Giddey adding 22 points off the bench. But the Suns took full advantage of the Bulls’ 13 turnovers, scoring 23 points off of them, along with 26 second-chance points.

With the win, the Suns are now 33-37 on the year, and yes, in 10th place.

Game Flow

First Half

Phoenix came out with great energy, disrupting Chicago’s offense and creating easy scoring opportunities. The Suns capitalized on the Bulls’ four early turnovers, converting them into eight quick points.

The Suns kept their foot on the gas throughout the first quarter, outplaying the Bulls in every facet. They dominated the paint 16-8, shot 52% from the field compared to Chicago’s 41%, and turned defense into offense with 12 points off turnovers. Ball security was sharp, with just two giveaways.

Kevin Durant led the charge in the first half, knocking down 4-of-8 shots for 11 points. The Suns moved the ball well, recording assists on 10 of their 13 field goals. After one, they held a 31-22 lead.

Phoenix cooled off in the second quarter, missing six of their first seven three-pointers and giving the Bulls an opening to chip away at the lead. The interior defense started to waver, allowing Chicago to find success in the paint and close the gap.

But midway through the quarter, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant found their rhythm, reigniting the Suns’ offense. With Ryan Dunn injecting energy — and even some timely shooting — into the mix, Phoenix managed to keep Chicago at arm’s length, maintaining control despite the early struggles.

Nick Richards made his presence felt in the paint, pouring in 14 first-half points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting while adding four rebounds. Kevin Durant led all scorers with 17 at the break, while Nikola Vucevic paced the Bulls with 11.

Despite some lapses defensively, the Suns maintained control, heading into halftime with a 63-51 lead.

Second Half

It was a shaky start to the second half because, well, it generally is for the Suns.

Crisis averted. The Suns answered with relentless ball movement, aggressive rebounding, and high-energy play on both ends. Devin Booker found his rhythm, drilling back-to-back three-pointers after a cold first half from deep. He poured in 10 of the Suns’ first 18 points in the quarter, setting the tone.

Phoenix extended to their lead to as much as 21 points in the quarter.

Then came the highlight of the night. A dazzling, back-to-back, in-the-lane sequence from Booker to Nick Richards, a play that perfectly encapsulated the Suns’ offensive cohesion.

You need to see that again? I say goddamn!!

Booker ended the quarter with 13 points. Kevin Durant added 9 in the quarter.

Cody Martin has brought a level of disruption the Suns have lacked all season. Entering Wednesday night, Phoenix had drawn just 10 charges, which is the fourth-fewest in the league. But as Coby White caught fire in the third quarter, dropping 10 points, Martin stepped into the lane and absorbed contact to draw White’s third foul. A small moment, but the kind of gritty, winning play the Suns have desperately needed.

The Suns shot 50% in the quarter but struggled to contain the Bulls, who hit 60% of their attempts. The difference? Hustle. Phoenix dominated the glass, racking up 14 second-chance points while holding Chicago to none. That extra effort allowed them to outscore the Bulls 36-33, extending their lead to 99-84 heading into the fourth.

The fourth quarter picked up right where it left off for Devin Booker, as he completed a 4-point play and quickly surpassed the 30-point mark. His hot streak fueled the Suns as they continued to control the tempo and maintain their lead.

As the quarter wore on, the defensive intensity that had propelled Phoenix to this point began to fade, and the Bulls started to chip away. A 10-0 run late in the game forced Devin Booker, who had been sent to the bench with five minutes remaining, to return as the Bulls sliced the lead from 20 to 8.

Chicago continued to press, cutting the deficit to just 4 points after a deep three-pointer from Coby White, his 24th of the night, with 26.4 seconds left. But the Suns managed to pull away in the final moments, securing the win, 127-121.

Up Next

The homestand rolls on for Phoenix this Friday, kicking off a brutal 10-game gauntlet against many of the best teams in the NBA. First up? The league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers.

We shall see you then, Bright Side!

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