The Bulls Are Waking Up: Sexton's 30 & Jones' 21 Down the Suns 105-103 in Phoenix

Chicago is showing signs of life. The Bulls held off the Phoenix Suns 105-103 on Thursday night at the Footprint Center — grinding out their second win in three games after an 11-game losing streak that had threatened to derail their season entirely. It was not pretty in the fourth quarter — the Bulls were outscored 26-22 as the Suns pushed hard for a comeback — but Collin Sexton's 30-point masterclass and Tre Jones' composed 21-point effort were enough to see Chicago over the line. The Bulls improve to a season record that suddenly looks slightly less grim. Collin Sexton: 30 Points, 57.9% Shooting, Game Best Collin Sexton was the best player on the floor Thursday night — and it wasn't particularly close. The Bulls' guard finished with 30 points on 11-of-19 shooting from the field — 57.9% — adding 2-of-7 from three, 6-of-8 from the line, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals in a performance that carried Chicago through a tight fourth quarter. His 66.6% true shooting percentage reflected both his efficiency and his ability to get to the line at critical moments. Sexton scored 18 of his 30 points in the paint — attacking the Suns' defence relentlessly and refusing to settle for jump shots in the moments that mattered. His efficiency game score of 25.7 was the best of any player on either team by a considerable margin. Tre Jones: 21 Points, 60% Shooting, Ice Cold Down the Stretch Tre Jones provided the perfect complement to Sexton — efficient, composed, and lethal around the rim. The Bulls' guard finished with 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting — 60% — adding 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and just 1 turnover in a performance that showcased exactly the kind of disciplined, two-way play Chicago needs from its backcourt. Jones scored 16 of his 21 points in the paint — contributing to the Bulls' dominant 68-44 advantage in points in the paint, which was ultimately the defining statistical story of the game. His assist-to-turnover ratio of 5.0 reflected an evening of excellent decision-making in a game where ball security mattered enormously. Guerschon Yabusele: 16 Points, 3-of-6 From Three French big man Guerschon Yabusele continued his strong recent form with 16 points on 6-of-15 shooting — including 3-of-6 from three — adding 6 rebounds, 2 assists and a block in 47.7% efficiency from the field. Yabusele's ability to stretch the floor from the centre position creates spacing that benefits Sexton and Jones enormously — and his 50% effective field goal percentage reflected a night of smart shot selection alongside the volume. Nick Richards: 11 Rebounds, 2 Blocks — The Unsung Anchor Nick Richards may not have filled the stat sheet with points — finishing with just 9 on 2-of-2 shooting plus 5-of-10 from the line — but his presence on the glass was indispensable. The Bulls' centre grabbed 11 rebounds — 9 defensive — added 2 blocks, 1 steal and 1 assist while drawing 6 fouls. His foul-drawing ability kept Chicago in bonus situations throughout and his defensive rebounding — 28.8% defensive rebound percentage — helped neutralise Phoenix's 14 offensive boards. Richards fouled out with five personal fouls but had already done his job. The Suns: Booker's 27 Not Enough Phoenix fought hard but couldn't find enough offensively to match Chicago's paint dominance. Devin Booker led the Suns with 27 points on 9-of-21 shooting — going a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line and adding 6 rebounds — but his 4 turnovers proved costly. Grayson Allen contributed 21 points off the bench with 5-of-16 from three — but the Suns' 39.1% field goal percentage overall told the story of a team that couldn't consistently manufacture good looks against Chicago's defence. Phoenix was outscored 68-44 in the paint — a differential that cost them dearly in a two-point game. The Paint Dominance: 68-44 — The Stat That Won the Game The Bulls' 68 points in the paint — against just 44 for Phoenix — was the defining number of the night. Chicago attempted 54 shots inside the paint, making 34 of them for 63% — a remarkable efficiency figure that reflects both Sexton and Jones's relentless attacking of the basket and the Bulls' commitment to getting downhill rather than settling for perimeter jump shots. The Bulls also generated 22 fast break points against just 10 for Phoenix — benefiting from 8 steals and disciplined transition defence that gave them easy opportunities in the open court. What It Means: Two Wins in Three After the Skid The 11-game losing streak that preceded this mini-run cast a long shadow over Chicago's season — dropping them deep into the Eastern Conference's lower tier and raising genuine questions about the team's direction. Back-to-back wins over Milwaukee and now Phoenix — sandwiching a tough loss to OKC — suggest the Bulls may have found something. Whether this is the beginning of a genuine late-season run or a brief reprieve remains to be seen. Next up: Sacramento Kings on Monday, March 9. For a team rebuilding confidence, every win counts. For more NBA coverage, follow digital8hub.com.