Game ID: 22500905
Chicago Bulls @ Phoenix Suns
Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 9:00 PM ET
Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
PHX 20 30 27 26 103CHI 24 31 28 22 105
CHI @ PHX ScoutingCHI @ PHX Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
PHX availability going into 2/22 · back-to-backBACK Booker back 2/07 after 7, 24 min since (72% of 34)
BACK Allen back 2/21 after 4, 33 min since (117% of 28)
BACK Green back 2/07 after 3, 25 min since (92% of 27)
BACK Fleming back 2/11 after 4, 16 min since (135% of 12)
PHX availability going into 2/24 · 1 day's restOUT Booker missed 2 since 2/21, out tonight
BACK Allen back 2/21 after 4, 33 min since (117% of 28)
BACK Fleming back 2/11 after 4, 18 min since (152% of 12)
NEW Coffey 12 to 17 min over the last 4
PHX availability going into 2/26 · 1 day's restOUT Booker missed 3 since 2/21, out tonight
OUT Brooks missed 2 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Goodwin missed 2 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Allen back 2/21 after 4, 29 min since (101% of 28)
BACK Fleming back 2/11 after 4, 19 min since (158% of 12)
NEW Dunn 19 to 25 min over the last 5
NEW Coffey 12 to 19 min over the last 4
PHX availability going into 3/03 · 4 days' restOUT Booker missed 4 since 2/21, returns tonight: 31 min (92% of 34)
OUT Brooks missed 3 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Goodwin missed 3 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Allen back 2/21 after 4, 29 min since (104% of 28)
NEW Dunn 19 to 25 min over the last 5
NEW Fleming 12 to 19 min over the last 4
NEW Coffey 12 to 19 min over the last 4
PHX availability going into 3/05 · 1 day's restOUT Brooks missed 4 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Goodwin missed 4 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Booker back 3/03 after 4, 31 min since (92% of 34)
BACK Allen back 2/21 after 4, 28 min since (100% of 28)
NEW Gillespie 28 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Dunn 19 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Fleming 12 to 20 min over the last 4
NEW Coffey 12 to 19 min over the last 4
PHX availability going into 3/06 · back-to-backOUT Brooks missed 5 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Goodwin missed 5 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Bouyea missed 2 since 3/03, out tonight
OUT Highsmith missed 2 since 3/03, returns tonight: 0 min (0% of 11)
BACK Booker back 3/03 after 4, 32 min since (93% of 34)
NEW Dunn 19 to 25 min over the last 5
NEW Fleming 12 to 18 min over the last 5
NEW Coffey 12 to 19 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 3/08 · 1 day's restOUT Brooks missed 6 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 2 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Goodwin missed 6 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Bouyea missed 3 since 3/03, out tonight
OUT Huntley missed 2 since 3/05, out tonight
BACK Booker back 3/03 after 4, 33 min since (97% of 34)
BACK Highsmith back 3/06 after 2, 0 min since (0% of 11)
NEW Ighodaro 22 to 29 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 3/10 · 1 day's restOUT Brooks missed 7 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 3 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Goodwin missed 7 since 2/22, returns tonight: 14 min (61% of 22)
OUT Bouyea missed 4 since 3/03, out tonight
OUT Huntley missed 3 since 3/05, out tonight
BACK Booker back 3/03 after 4, 33 min since (99% of 34)
BACK Highsmith back 3/06 after 2, 11 min since (94% of 11)
NEW Ighodaro 22 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Fleming 12 to 17 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 3/12 · 1 day's restOUT Brooks missed 8 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 4 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Bouyea missed 5 since 3/03, returns tonight: 4 min (31% of 13)
OUT Huntley missed 4 since 3/05, out tonight
BACK Booker back 3/03 after 4, 34 min since (99% of 34)
BACK Goodwin back 3/10 after 7, 14 min since (61% of 22)
BACK Highsmith back 3/06 after 2, 11 min since (100% of 11)
CHI availability going into 2/24 · 1 day's restOUT Collins missed 27 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 6 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Kawamura missed 6 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Giddey back 2/19 after 8, 24 min since (74% of 32)
BACK Jones back 2/19 after 11, 24 min since (87% of 27)
BACK Smith back 2/19 after 3, 22 min since (108% of 21)
NEW Okoro 27 to 33 min over the last 4
CHI availability going into 2/26 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 2 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 28 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 7 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Kawamura missed 7 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Giddey back 2/19 after 8, 24 min since (76% of 32)
BACK Jones back 2/19 after 11, 23 min since (84% of 27)
BACK Smith back 2/19 after 3, 22 min since (108% of 21)
NEW Williams 20 to 26 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/01 · 2 days' restOUT Simons missed 3 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Smith missed 2 since 2/24, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 29 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 8 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Kawamura missed 8 since 2/07, returns tonight: 1 min (8% of 12)
BACK Giddey back 2/19 after 8, 25 min since (78% of 32)
BACK Jones back 2/19 after 11, 24 min since (87% of 27)
NEW Okoro 27 to 32 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/03 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 4 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Smith missed 3 since 2/24, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 2 since 2/26, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 30 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 9 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Kawamura back 3/01 after 8, 1 min since (8% of 12)
NEW Okoro 27 to 33 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/05 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 5 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Smith missed 4 since 2/24, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 3 since 2/26, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 31 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 10 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Kawamura back 3/01 after 8, 1 min since (8% of 12)
NEW Okoro 27 to 32 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/08 · 2 days' restOUT Simons missed 6 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Smith missed 5 since 2/24, returns tonight: 20 min (96% of 21)
OUT Williams missed 4 since 2/26, returns tonight: 17 min (84% of 20)
OUT Collins missed 32 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 11 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Kawamura back 3/01 after 8, 5 min since (47% of 12)
NEW Okoro 27 to 33 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/10 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 7 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 33 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 12 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Smith back 3/08 after 5, 20 min since (96% of 21)
BACK Williams back 3/08 after 4, 17 min since (84% of 20)
BACK Kawamura back 3/01 after 8, 4 min since (35% of 12)
NEW Okoro 27 to 32 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/12 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 8 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 34 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 13 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Smith back 3/08 after 5, 27 min since (130% of 21)
BACK Williams back 3/08 after 4, 17 min since (84% of 20)
BACK Kawamura back 3/01 after 8, 4 min since (35% of 12)
CHI availability going into 3/13 · back-to-backOUT Simons missed 9 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Okoro missed 2 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Sexton missed 2 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 2 since 3/10, returns tonight: 23 min (111% of 20)
OUT Collins missed 35 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 14 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Smith back 3/08 after 5, 28 min since (136% of 21)
NEW Giddey 32 to 37 min over the last 4
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 102, shooting 40 percent and 35 from three, 15 free throws a game; Allen at 22 and Gillespie at 18 a game. Without Brooks (4 straight), Goodwin (4 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 114, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Buzelis at 20 and Sexton at 14 a game. Without Simons (5 straight), Smith (4 straight), Williams (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 102 a night to Chicago's 114 and the turnovers, Chicago giving it away 19 times a game to Phoenix's 13. Call it Phoenix 113, Chicago 108.
2/22 vs POR 77-92 — PHX notes
PHX lost 77-92. PHX shot 36% (31 of 85) to POR's 47%, 9 of 35 from three. Gillespie led with 18 (7 of 14, 4 of 8 from three); Green added 13. Q1 was theirs, 20-20, but the other 3 periods went 72-57 against them. Dunn's -18 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/24 vs BOS 81-97 — PHX notes
PHX lost 81-97. PHX shot 37% (29 of 79) to BOS's 40%, 12 of 36 from three. The glass went 34-61 against them. Gillespie led with 15 (6 of 11, 3 of 6 from three); Allen added 14, Green 13. Q4 was theirs, 24-17, the deficit cut from 23 to 16, but the other 3 periods went 80-57 against them. They led by as many as 11. Green's -33 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/26 vs LAL 113-110 — PHX notes
PHX won 113-110. PHX shot 46% (40 of 87) to LAL's 51%, 22 of 50 from three, and got to the line 14 times to LAL's 26. Allen led with 28 (9 of 24, 6 of 16 from three); Gillespie added 21, O'Neale 13. The hinge was Q2, 27-22: PHX came in trailing by 5 and left it level. Coffey was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
3/03 @ SAC 114-103 — PHX notes
PHX won 114-103. PHX shot 46% (42 of 92) to SAC's 46%, 19 of 49 from three. PHX turned it over 19 times to SAC's 14, and SAC turned those into 11 steals. The glass went 53-40 for them. Green led with 20 (7 of 16, 2 of 8 from three); Allen added 18, Gillespie 17. The hinge was Q2, 37-25: PHX came in trailing by 8 and left it ahead by 4, and the lead reached 20. Ighodaro was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
3/05 vs CHI 103-105 — PHX notes
PHX lost 103-105. PHX shot 39% (36 of 92) to CHI's 48%, 13 of 46 from three. Booker led with 27 (9 of 21, 2 of 7 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); Allen added 21, Green 12. Q4 was theirs, 26-22, the deficit cut from 6 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 83-77 against them. O'Neale's -15 in 18 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/06 vs NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 98 a night and allowing 101, shooting 41 percent and 35 from three, 15 free throws a game; Allen at 20 and Gillespie at 15 a game. Without Brooks (5 straight), Goodwin (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 119, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Bey at 24 and Murphy III at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Poole (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 101 a night to New Orleans's 119 and the line, where New Orleans takes 26 free throws a game to Phoenix's 15. Call it Phoenix 113, New Orleans 111, New Orleans keeping it close.
3/08 vs CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 106, shooting 42 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Booker at 25 and Allen at 19 a game. Without Brooks (6 straight), Williams (2 straight), Goodwin (6 straight). One day's rest. Charlotte comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 102, shooting 47 percent and 40 from three, 21 free throws a game; Miller at 23 and Knueppel at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Salaün (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Charlotte wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-7 a night and Phoenix minus-2 and the arc, Charlotte at 40 percent from three to Phoenix's 36. Call it Charlotte 112, Phoenix 109, Phoenix keeping it close.
3/10 @ MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Milwaukee comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 99 a night and allowing 118, shooting 43 percent and 32 from three, 19 free throws a game; Gia. Antetokounmpo at 23 and Kuzma at 15 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Porter Jr. (3 straight), Prince (55 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 107, shooting 44 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Booker at 26 and Allen at 20 a game. Without Brooks (7 straight), Williams (3 straight), Goodwin (7 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Phoenix has been plus-3 a night and Milwaukee minus-7 and the defense, Phoenix allowing 107 a night to Milwaukee's 118. Call it Phoenix 113, Milwaukee 108.
3/12 @ IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Indiana comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 126, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 24 free throws a game; Siakam at 26 and Huff at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Thompson (9 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 107, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Booker at 27 and Green at 21 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Brooks (8 straight), Williams (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 107 a night to Indiana's 126 and the glass, where Phoenix has been plus-3 a night and Indiana minus-8. Call it Phoenix 117, Indiana 111.
2/24 vs CHA 99-131 — CHI notes
CHI lost 99-131. CHI shot 43% (35 of 82) to CHA's 52%, 16 of 40 from three, and went to the line 15 times to CHA's 9 — 13 points from the stripe to their 8. The glass went 33-46 against them. Buzelis led with 32 (13 of 19, 6 of 11 from three); Yabusele added 11, P. Williams 11. Q1 was theirs, 31-31, but the other 3 periods went 100-68 against them. Okoro's -33 in 27 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/26 vs POR 112-121 — CHI notes
CHI lost 112-121. CHI shot 50% (40 of 80) to POR's 44%, 9 of 30 from three. CHI turned it over 20 times to POR's 12, and POR turned those into 10 steals. Buzelis led with 20 (6 of 16, 2 of 8 from three, 6 of 9 at the line); Jones added 19, Giddey 15. Q1 was theirs, 34-32, but the other 3 periods went 89-78 against them. Dillingham's -23 in 23 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/01 vs MIL 120-97 — CHI notes
CHI won 120-97. CHI shot 51% (43 of 84) to MIL's 37%, 18 of 49 from three, and went to the line 23 times to MIL's 17 — 16 points from the stripe to their 14. Sexton led with 22 (9 of 14, 3 of 8 from three); Giddey added 20, Buzelis 20. The hinge was Q4, 33-8: CHI came in trailing by 2 and left it ahead by 23. CHI trailed 51-66 at the half and won the second half 69-31. Miller was the night's best plus/minus at +38.
3/03 vs OKC 108-116 — CHI notes
CHI lost 108-116. CHI shot 43% (39 of 90) to OKC's 43%, 17 of 49 from three. CHI turned it over 19 times to OKC's 9, and OKC turned those into 10 steals. Sexton led with 20 (6 of 14, 3 of 8 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Yabusele added 18, Jones 15. Q2 was theirs, 32-29, the deficit cut from 4 to 1, but the other 3 periods went 87-76 against them. Jones's -18 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/05 @ PHX 105-103 — CHI notes
CHI won 105-103. CHI shot 48% (41 of 86) to PHX's 39%, 7 of 28 from three. Sexton led with 30 (11 of 19, 2 of 7 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); Jones added 21, Yabusele 16. The hinge was Q1, 24-20: from level to 4 ahead. Sexton was the night's best plus/minus at +11.
3/08 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 125, shooting 47 percent and 25 from three, 20 free throws a game; Achiuwa at 18 and Westbrook at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Murray (4 straight), LaVine (11 straight), Hunter (11 straight). 2 days' rest. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Buzelis at 21 and Sexton at 18 a game. Without Simons (6 straight), Smith (5 straight), Williams (4 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Chicago wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Chicago at 34 percent from three to Sacramento's 25 and the turnovers, Chicago giving it away 18 times a game to Sacramento's 11. Call it Chicago 116, Sacramento 115, Sacramento keeping it close.
3/10 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 116, shooting 43 percent and 32 from three, 16 free throws a game; Podziemski at 18 and Melton at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Ste. Curry (14 straight), Moody (3 straight), Richard (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 113, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Sexton at 22 and Buzelis at 18 a game. Without Simons (7 straight), Collins (33 straight). One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the line, where Chicago takes 26 free throws a game to Golden State's 16 and the turnovers, Chicago giving it away 17 times a game to Golden State's 12. Call it Golden State 114, Chicago 113, Chicago keeping it close.
3/12 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 108, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 33 and Reaves at 21 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without James (3 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 113, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Sexton at 25 and Buzelis at 23 a game. Without Simons (8 straight), Collins (34 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it the Lakers 118, Chicago 112.
3/13 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 118, shooting 53 percent and 41 from three, 30 free throws a game; Leonard at 32 and Mathurin at 20 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Collins (6 straight), Bogdanović (7 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 122, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Sexton at 26 and Buzelis at 24 a game. Without Simons (9 straight), Okoro (2 straight), Sexton (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the arc, the Clippers at 41 percent from three to Chicago's 35 and the line, where the Clippers take 30 free throws a game to Chicago's 22. Call it the Clippers 123, Chicago 114.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
PHXAC A. Coffey
CG C. Gillespie
DB D. Booker
GA G. Allen
JG J. Green
KM K. Maluach
OI O. Ighodaro
RD R. Dunn
RF R. Fleming
RO R. O'Neale
CHICS C. Sexton
GY G. Yabusele
IO I. Okoro
LM L. Miller
LO L. Olbrich
NR N. Richards
RD R. Dillingham
TJ T. Jones
YK Y. Kawamura
PHX/CHI the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Bulls hold off the Suns 105-103 for their 2nd win in 3 games after an 11-game skid
PHOENIX -- — Collin Sexton scored 30 points and the Chicago Bulls held off the Phoenix Suns 105-103 on Thursday night for their second victory in three games following an 11-game losing streak.
Down 12 with under six minutes left, Phoenix pulled to 104-103 on Devin Booker 's 3-pointer with 23 seconds left.
Jalen Green had a chance to give the Suns' their first lead, but missed a running layup, with Phoenix's Amir Coffey fouling Nick Richards with 4.1 seconds to go. Richards made the first free throw and missed the second, with a scramble for the rebound running out the clock.
Tre Jones added 21 points and Guerschon Yabusele had 16 for Chicago in the opener of a five-game trip. The Bulls were without Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey after they injured ankles in a home loss to Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.
Booker led Phoenix with 27 points in his second game after missing four because of a right hip injury. Grayson Allen added 21 points. Green had 12 points on 5-of-20 shooting. He was 1 of 8 from 3-point range.
Seventh in the West, Phoenix had won two straight. The Suns are without Dillon Brooks because of a fractured left hand.