Game Recap: Suns fall to Bulls 124-117 as turnovers remain a problem

For the second straight preseason game, the Suns could not finish the job, falling 124-117 to the Bulls. They built a lead of as many as 15 points mid-second quarter, and had good defensive energy described by color commentator Rex Chapman as “it looks like the Suns are playing with eight players out there”. This intensity and focus did not sustain going into the locker room up just two. The final score involved a late crumbling by the back end of Phoenix’s roster, but this was mostly a tight game throughout the second half.  

Free throw shooting was improved over game one at 76%. Turnovers tied directly to the loss, and tonight’s 26 were not much better than the last game. Some of this ties to all the rotation mixing and it being preseason, but I see it also as a loss of focus.

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Some positives include Dillon Brooks playing with a somewhat controlled intensity (aka no technicals, at least) and being an efficient scorer, getting 24 points on only 9 shots. Is Jordan Goodwin the best ever “second stint with the Suns” player? The lineup with him, Maluach, and Dunn was stifling. Gillespie was solid all around.

Several concerns surface from this outing. The core rotation can play like a top 4 seed and then fall apart, same as preseason game one. There are no indications Bridges’ ankle injury is serious, but that will be something to monitor as the preseason continues.  Book’s three-point shot was not falling, finishing 0-8 from the arc, and the team needs that to be a rarity when the games count.

Of players with roles to be determined:

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Impressed…Ryan Dunn provided solid defense without much fouling until the closing minutes.  He passed the eye test. Jamaree Bouyea scored 9 points on 4-of-6 shooting.

Did not impress…Rasheer Fleming didn’t show the intensity needed to take his next steps, finishing 1-of-4 with three fouls and no steals or blocks. Khaman Maluach: While there were some highlight blocks, his overall strength in the paint both offensively and defensively was underwhelming. Keep in mind Chicago was missing their first- and second-string centers.

Game Flow

First Half 

Phoenix…

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Publish date : 2026-10-08 03:43:00

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