PHOENIX — Devin Booker’s 41 points led the Phoenix Suns to a gotta-have-it 127-121 win over the Chicago Bulls. The win, coupled with the Dallas Mavericks losing earlier in the evening, moves them up to the 10th seed and final spot in the West play-in with 12 games remaining.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Booker scored 20 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter to close out the Bulls. He finished with four rebounds and seven assists to go along with it. Kevin Durant added 26 points and eight assists on 8-of-15 shooting. Down three rotation players, Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro, Collin Gillespie and Nick Richards all stepped up to provide constant energy throughout the game.
Phoenix (33-37) can breathe now, but just for an instant. Their league’s toughest remaining schedule gets even harder as a gauntlet awaits them. Milwaukee and Boston twice to go along with games against Oklahoma City, Cleveland, New York, Golden State and Houston.
Booker, Durant maintain effort in 3rd quarter
Devin Booker scored 13 of his 21 points in the third quarter to maintain control of Phoenix’s effort and lead them over the Bulls ahead of the final quarter, 99-84.
Kevin Durant led the Suns with 26 points and seven assists on 8-of-15 shooting. Devin Booker added six assists to his 21-point total, one of which included a flashy behind-the-back pass to Nick Richards in the paint for a dunk. Richards dominated the paint, scoring 16 points and grabbing 8 boards on the night. Ryan Dunn recorded his fourth consecutive game in double figures, scoring 12 points through three quarters.
Coby White woke up and scored 12 of his 19 points in the period. Nikola Vucevic had 19 points as well and added three rebounds and two assists on 8-of-14 shooting.
Mar 19, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) shoots against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at PHX Aena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Suns carry momentum through 2nd quarter
Phoenix was clicking on all cylinders as they carried their first quarter momentum into the second quarter and halftime, leading the Bulls 63-51.
The Suns have, not only rarely started the game with energy, but have rarely carried that momentum into the following quarter. Nick Richards scored eight more points in the period, bringing his total to 14 points, four rebounds and two blocks on 7-of-10 shooting. Kevin Durant led the game with 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting and added four assists to his stat line. Devin Booker added eight points and four assists.
Nikola Vucevic got it going in the second quarter, scoring seven of his team-leading 11 points in the period. Four other Bulls scored at least seven points in the half.
Mar 19, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dribbles against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at PHX Aena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Durant leads strong Suns start in 1st quarter
Desperately requiring a momentous start to this important game with play-in implications, Kevin Durant led the way with 11 points to give the Suns a lead in the first quarter, 31-22.
It was a balanced start for Phoenix. Down Bradley Beal, Mason Plumlee and Grayson Allen, various other rotation players stepped up as they did in the win against the Raptors. Nick Richards opened with six points and three rebounds. Cody Martin immediately got a block on Coby White and went down on the other end to drain a 3-pointer. Collin Gillespie dished out three assists in his opening stint.
The Bulls shot 9-of-22 from the field as a result of Phoenix’s stifling new defensive identity backed by Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro and Cody Martin off the bench. They were led by Kevin Huerter with six points on two 3-point makes.
Mar 19, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots over Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) during the first half at PHX Aena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Injury report
Mason Plumlee popped up on the Phoenix injury list with a left quadricep strain and was listed out. Bradley Beal (left hamstring strain) and Grayson Allen (left foot strain) remained out. Allen missed his fifth consecutive game and Beal was listed out for a week ahead of Monday’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors.
For Chicago, Lonzo Ball (right wrist sprain) and Ayo Dosunmu (left shoulder surgery) were both out. Josh Giddey returned to the lineup after missing their last contest.
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Reporter Connor Moreno covers the Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @cmorenoNBA, and on Bluesky, @cloading.bsky.social
