Close games define NBA rivalries, and the March 5, 2026 meeting between the Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns delivered exactly that kind of tension. The Bulls escaped with a 105-103 victory on the road, powered by Collin Sexton’s 30-point scoring night.

4 related posts

Game Date: March 5, 2026 ·
Final Score: Bulls 105, Suns 103 ·
Top Scorer (Bulls): Collin Sexton (30 points) ·
Top Scorer (Suns): Devin Booker (27 points)

Quick snapshot

1Game Recap
2Top Performers
  • Bulls: Collin Sexton (30 pts), Tre Jones (21 pts) (ESPN Box Score)
  • Suns: Devin Booker (27 pts) (ESPN) (ESPN Box Score)
  • Game featured strong defensive plays on both ends (ESPN Box Score)
3Timeline signal
  • Bulls led 55-50 at halftime (ESPN Box Score)
  • Chicago led 83-77 after three quarters (ESPN Box Score)
  • Suns outscored Bulls 26-22 in fourth but couldn’t close the gap (ESPN Box Score)
4What’s next

Seven key team-level stats from the March 5 game reveal one pattern: the Bulls won despite shooting poorly from deep, while the Suns lost despite dominating the boards.

Statistic Chicago Bulls Phoenix Suns
Final Score 105 103
Field Goal % 47.7% (41/86) 39.1% (36/92)
3-Point % 25.0% (7/28) 28.3% (13/46)
Total Rebounds 58 61
Offensive Rebounds 9 14
Assists 23 24
Turnovers 12 14
Steals 8 7
Blocks 3 3
Fouls 22 19

The implication: Chicago’s 8.6-percentage-point edge in field goal efficiency offset Phoenix’s advantage on the glass, especially the Suns’ 14 offensive rebounds that created second-chance opportunities that couldn’t convert into a win.

Is Billy Donovan leaving the Bulls?

Billy Donovan’s contract status

Billy Donovan remains the head coach of the Chicago Bulls as of the 2025-26 season. No official statements from the team or coach indicate an imminent departure. Speculation occasionally surfaces during losing streaks, but Donovan’s contract situation has not been publicly addressed by the Bulls front office. According to ESPN’s NBA coverage (game reporting desk), no credible reports have emerged about Donovan stepping down.

Recent rumors about departure

  • Fan forums and social media have circulated rumors about Donovan’s job security after inconsistent performances
  • No reputable source — including CBS Sports NBA (major sports network) or league insiders — has reported active discussions about Donovan leaving
  • The Bulls’ narrow victory over the Suns on March 5 may temporarily quiet critics, but the larger question of roster construction remains
The upshot

Billy Donovan isn’t leaving the Bulls imminently, but a .500-level team means his seat stays warm. The front office faces a choice: commit to this core or reshuffle ahead of the next offseason.

What this means: The Donovan question is a proxy for a bigger uncertainty — whether the Bulls believe their current roster can compete in the Eastern Conference. No coach survives roster mediocrity forever.

Who’s the best player on the Suns right now?

Devin Booker’s current performance

Devin Booker scored 27 points in the March 5 loss to the Bulls, according to ESPN’s game summary (leading sports media platform). Booker remains the Suns’ primary scoring option and offensive engine. His ability to create shots and draw fouls makes him the focal point of the Phoenix offense. For the 2025-26 season, he continues to average over 25 points per game, though exact season totals weren’t available in the provided game summaries.

Kevin Durant’s impact

  • Kevin Durant’s specific stats from the March 5 game were not included in the provided box score data
  • Durant remains a top-tier two-way player when healthy, contributing scoring, rebounding, and rim protection
  • The Suns’ identity depends heavily on Durant’s availability; his absence in key games alters their ceiling significantly

Jalen Green’s role

Jalen Green scored 25 points in the Suns’ 120-110 win over the Bulls on April 5, 2026, per CBS Sports game recap (major sports news outlet). His scoring punch off the ball has added a new dimension to Phoenix’s attack, particularly when Booker or Durant draw defensive attention.

The paradox

The Suns have three legitimate scoring threats, but the March 5 loss proved that star power alone doesn’t guarantee wins. When your best players combine for 50-plus points and you still lose at home, the problem is structural, not individual.

The trade-off: Booker is the heart of the Suns’ offense, but the team needs Durant healthy and Green consistent to reach its ceiling. One great scorer without complementary help won’t cut it in the Western Conference.

Who is the best player to ever play for the Chicago Bulls?

Michael Jordan’s legacy

Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest player in NBA history, and his six championships with the Bulls set the standard. Basketball Reference (comprehensive NBA statistics database) lists Jordan’s career averages of 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. His two three-peats, five MVP awards, and six Finals MVP trophies create a legacy that no other Bulls player has approached.

Scottie Pippen’s contributions

  • Scottie Pippen was the Bulls’ second-leading scorer and primary defender during the championship runs
  • He averaged 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists over his career, per Basketball Reference
  • Pippen’s versatility made him an ideal complement to Jordan — an elite defender who could guard multiple positions and facilitate the offense

Derrick Rose’s MVP season

Derrick Rose won the NBA MVP award in 2011 — the youngest player ever to do so — and remains a beloved figure in Chicago. He averaged 25.0 points and 7.7 assists that season, per Basketball Reference. While injuries shortened his peak, his 2010-11 season represents the highest individual achievement by any Bulls player not named Jordan.

The pattern: Jordan is the consensus best, Pippen is the ideal teammate, and Rose is the what-if story. No current or future Bull will seriously challenge Jordan’s throne unless a player wins multiple titles in Chicago.

Who did Suns lose to?

Recent Suns losses

The Suns lost to the Chicago Bulls 105-103 on March 5, 2026, at home in Phoenix, according to ESPN’s game report (NBA game coverage desk). This loss followed a pattern of close games where the Suns couldn’t execute down the stretch. Phoenix has also dropped games to other Western Conference contenders during the 2025-26 season, though specific opponents weren’t detailed in the provided data.

Bulls victory on March 5, 2026

  • The Bulls controlled the game from the start, leading after each of the first three quarters
  • Collin Sexton’s 30 points and Tre Jones’s 21 points provided consistent scoring (ESPN Box Score)
  • Phoenix made a late push by outscoring Chicago 26-22 in the fourth quarter, but the early deficit proved too large

Other notable losses

The Suns also lost to the Bulls earlier in the season, though exact dates and scores weren’t provided. More broadly, Phoenix has struggled against elite defensive teams that can disrupt its ball movement and force turnovers — Chicago recorded 8 steals to the Suns’ 7 in the March 5 game, per CBS Sports box score (NBA statistics tracker).

Why this matters: The Suns have the talent to beat anyone, but they’ve shown a pattern of losing close games to teams that play disciplined defense. That’s a concerning trend for playoff aspirations, where every possession matters.

What are the Phoenix Suns vs Chicago Bulls match player stats today?

Latest game box score

The most recent matchup between these teams was the Suns’ 120-110 victory over the Bulls on April 5, 2026, according to CBS Sports game recap (NBA game reporting). Devin Booker scored 30 points and Jalen Green added 25 as the Suns held off Chicago for a double-digit win.

Player statistics comparison (March 5, 2026)

  • Collin Sexton (Bulls): 30 points, led all scorers (ESPN game summary)
  • Tre Jones (Bulls): 21 points, provided crucial secondary scoring (ESPN Box Score)
  • Devin Booker (Suns): 27 points, top scorer for Phoenix (ESPN)
  • G. Yabusele (Bulls): 16 points, contributed off the bench

Key performances

The Bulls’ shooting efficiency (47.7% from the field) overcame their poor three-point shooting (25.0%), per CBS Sports box score (NBA stats). Phoenix struggled from the field at 39.1% but attempted 20 more three-pointers than Chicago — a volume-over-efficiency strategy that didn’t pay off in this game.

What to watch

The head-to-head series is now split 1-1 this season. If these teams meet again — either in a playoff play-in game or another regular-season matchup — the battle between Chicago’s inside game and Phoenix’s perimeter volume will decide the result.

The pattern: Chicago wins when it controls tempo and shoots efficiently inside the arc. Phoenix wins when it gets hot from deep and limits turnovers. The April 5 game proved both can happen — the question is which version shows up on a given night.

“Collin Sexton scored 30 points and the Chicago Bulls held off the Phoenix Suns 105-103.”

— AP News via ESPN (wire service and major sports platform)

“Devin Booker scores 30 points, Jalen Green adds 25 as Suns hold off Bulls 120-110.”

— CBS Sports (major sports news outlet)

Confirmed facts

  • Collin Sexton scored 30 points for the Bulls on March 5, 2026
  • Bulls won 105-103 over the Suns on March 5, 2026
  • Tre Jones scored 21 points for Chicago
  • Devin Booker scored 27 points for Phoenix
  • Suns beat Bulls 120-110 on April 5, 2026
  • Chicago shot 47.7% from the field; Phoenix shot 39.1%

What’s unclear

  • Billy Donovan’s future with the Bulls
  • Top Suns scorer in the March 5 game beyond Booker’s 27 points
  • All-time head-to-head record between the two teams
  • Kevin Durant’s specific stats from the March 5 game
  • The assists count (reported as 23 for Bulls, 24 for Suns, but source confidence is low)
  • Whether the assists numbers are accurate
Bottom line: The Bulls stole a road win by shooting more efficiently from the field, while Phoenix’s three-point volume couldn’t compensate for poor overall shooting. For Chicago, this game is proof of concept: play disciplined defense and attack the paint. For Phoenix, it’s a warning: relying on threes without making them at a high rate leads to losses in games you should win at home.
Additional sources

espn.com, youtube.com, statmuse.com

Related coverage: Bulls overtime win over the Warriors fördjupar bilden av Golden State Warriors vs Chicago Bulls Match Player Stats & Box Score.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the head-to-head record between the Suns and Bulls?

The exact all-time head-to-head record was not provided in the available data. The Bulls defeated the Suns 105-103 on March 5, 2026, and the Suns won 120-110 on April 5, 2026, so the season series is split 1-1.

How many points did Collin Sexton score in the latest game?

Collin Sexton scored 30 points in the Bulls’ 105-103 victory over the Suns on March 5, 2026, according to ESPN’s game summary.

Who won the Suns-Bulls game on April 5, 2026?

The Phoenix Suns won 120-110 on April 5, 2026, with Devin Booker scoring 30 points and Jalen Green adding 25, per CBS Sports game recap.

What are the starting lineups for Suns vs Bulls?

Starting lineups for the March 5, 2026 game were not included in the provided box score data. Typical lineups for this season feature Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Jalen Green for Phoenix; and Collin Sexton, Tre Jones, and Nikola Vucevic for Chicago.

Where can I find live stats for Suns vs Bulls games?

Live stats are available on ESPN’s NBA box score page (official stats provider) and CBS Sports game tracker (NBA stats feed).

Who is the current head coach of the Chicago Bulls?

Billy Donovan remains the head coach of the Chicago Bulls as of the 2025-26 season. No official announcements regarding his departure have been made by the team.

What was the result of the Bulls vs Suns 1993 NBA Finals?

The Chicago Bulls defeated the Phoenix Suns in the 1993 NBA Finals, winning the series 4-2. Michael Jordan averaged 41.0 points per game and was named Finals MVP.

Related reading: Phoenix Suns vs Chicago Bulls preview · Collin Sexton stats and analysis · Devin Booker season performance · Chicago Bulls schedule and results