Bulls Stun Suns with Team Effort in Surprise Win

Collin Sexton praises contributions from supporting cast in Chicago's victory over Phoenix

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The Chicago Bulls pulled off a surprising 105-103 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, despite missing key players Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey due to ankle injuries. Bulls guard Collin Sexton led the way with 30 points and 5 assists, but credited his teammates' "next man up" mentality and physical play for the win.

Why it matters

The Bulls' victory over the powerhouse Suns is an unexpected result that showcases the team's depth and resilience, especially with two starters sidelined. It demonstrates the Bulls' ability to win tough road games against elite competition when they play a complete, team-oriented brand of basketball.

The details

Sexton said the Bulls' strategy was to "be the first one to throw the first punch and be the more physical team." Several role players stepped up, including Nick Richards, Isaac Okoro, Yuki Kawamura, Leonard Miller, Tre Jones, and Guerschon Yabusele, each making key contributions to the win. Sexton praised their readiness and willingness to fill the void left by the injured Buzelis and Giddey.

  • The game took place on Thursday, March 6, 2026.

The players

Collin Sexton

The Bulls' starting guard, who scored a game-high 30 points and dished out 5 assists to lead Chicago to the upset victory.

Matas Buzelis

A Bulls starter who missed the game due to an ankle sprain.

Josh Giddey

Another Bulls starter who was sidelined with an ankle injury for the matchup against the Suns.

Nick Richards

A Bulls role player who had a strong performance to help the team win.

Isaac Okoro

A Bulls player who provided excellent defense in the victory over Phoenix.

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What they’re saying

“This game meant a lot just because we knew we had to be the first one to throw the first punch and be the more physical team.”

— Collin Sexton, Bulls Guard (clutchpoints.com)

“We all had the next man up mentality. Josh and Matas, they were out. So we had to be ready. We had big shoes to fill and everyone to step up.”

— Collin Sexton, Bulls Guard (clutchpoints.com)

What’s next

The Bulls will look to build on this momentum as they continue their five-game road trip, facing tough opponents like the Clippers and Warriors in the coming days.

The takeaway

The Bulls' gutsy win over the Suns, despite key injuries, demonstrates the team's depth, resilience, and ability to win tough road games through a complete team effort. This victory could be a turning point in the Bulls' season as they aim to make a playoff push.