The Phoenix Suns began a three-game homestand with a 105-103 loss on Thursday, March 5, to the Chicago Bulls before a sellout crowd of 17,071 at Mortgage Matchup Center.

The Suns (35-27) trailed by as many as 12 points in the second half and never took the lead in the loss. They pulled within a point, 104-103, on Devin Booker’s 3-pointer with 22.9 seconds left in regulation.

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Phoenix then forced a turnover, but was unable to score on the ensuing possession as Jalen Green missed on the inside.

Former Suns big Nick Richards grabbed the rebound and was fouled on the play. He made the first free throw, missed the second, but Phoenix was unable to secure the rebound for one final possession.

The Suns had a timeout remaining.

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Phoenix Suns take on Chicago Bulls at Mortgage Matchup Center

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) passes the ball against Chicago Bulls forward Isaac Okoro (35) in the first quarter at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on March 5, 2026.

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Phoenix Suns take on Chicago Bulls at Mortgage Matchup Center

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) passes the ball against Chicago Bulls forward Isaac Okoro (35) in the first quarter at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on March 5, 2026.

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Phoenix Suns take on Chicago Bulls at Mortgage Matchup Center

Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) attempts a 3 point shot against the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on March 5, 2026.

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Phoenix Suns take on Chicago Bulls at Mortgage Matchup Center

Phoenix Suns forward Oso Ighodaro (11) wins the tip-off against Chicago Bulls forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) during the first quarter at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on March 5, 2026.

Booker finished with 27 points to lead the Suns. Grayson Allen went for 21 points while Amir Coffey and Green each added 12 points. Green shot 5-of-20 from the field.

Collin Sexton scored a game-high 30 points while Tre Jones delivered 21 for the Bulls (26-37), who are now 2-8 in their last 10 games.

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Phoenix was without Mark Williams (left foot third metatarsal stress reaction), Dillon Brooks (left hand fracture) and Jordan Goodwin (left calf strain). Williams will be re-evaluated in two-to-three weeks.

Chicago was down Matas Buzelis (right ankle sprain), Josh Giddey (right ankle sprain), Jalen Smith (right calf strain), Patrick Williams (right quadriceps strain), Zach Collins (right first toe surgery), Noa Essengue (left shoulder surgery), Jaden Ivey (left patellofemoral fracture) and Anfernee Simons (left ulnar styloid fracture).

The Suns play the second of back-to-back games on March 6 at home against the New Orleans Pelicans at 7 p.m.

Suns down at half to short-handed Bulls

The Phoenix Suns trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half as they’re down, 55-50, at halftime.

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Devin Booker scored 16 points in the first half and Grayson Allen went for 14 points off the bench on a combined 10-of-21 shooting.

The rest of the Suns scored 20 points on 8-of-22 shooting.

Collin Sexton paced the Bulls with 16 points while Tre Jones and Rob Dillingham each added 11. The Bulls led at the half despite shooting 3-of-16 from 3.

Chicago is eighth in the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage at 36.5%.

Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns can’t overcome lack of energy, fall to Chicago Bulls