Phoenix didn’t blink late. In a game that opened with a 30-30 first quarter, the Suns separated with a second-quarter push, absorbed Chicago’s third-quarter response, then won the closing time to take a 120-110 win over the Bulls on April 5, 2026 at the United Center.
How it happened
The early script suggested a coin-flip night: both teams traded clean looks and ended the first quarter tied 30-30. The swing came in the second, when Phoenix tightened the game with a 33-26 frame to take a seven-point halftime lead.
Chicago made its best run out of the break, winning the third quarter 28-23 to pull within two. But the Suns’ fourth quarter was the difference-maker. Phoenix scored 34 in the final period and held Chicago to 26, creating the margin that decided the game.
Turning point: Phoenix wins the last 12 minutes
After the Bulls trimmed the deficit in the third, the fourth quarter became a test of execution and shot quality under pressure. Phoenix’s 34-point closing quarter tilted the game back decisively, turning a two-point edge into a 10-point win.
Team stats that shaped the result
Assists and style
Chicago finished with 26 assists to Phoenix’s 22, a sign the Bulls generated enough movement to stay attached for long stretches. But Phoenix’s ability to convert its offense into a 34-point fourth quarter outweighed the Bulls’ passing edge, especially after Chicago spent the second quarter chasing the Suns’ pace.
What it means
For Phoenix (43-35), this was a professional road win built on late-game control: win the second quarter, survive the third, then close with force in the fourth. The Suns’ recent form remains uneven, but the finish in Chicago was the kind of fourth-quarter statement that travels.
For Chicago (29-49), the loss extends a rough stretch — now six straight — with another night where a competitive three quarters didn’t translate into a full 48 minutes. The Bulls matched Phoenix early and rallied after halftime, but the inability to win the second and fourth quarters ultimately decided it.