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October 8, 2026 at 4:14 AM UTC

Postgame Report

Bulls open preseason with a 124-117 win over Suns

Chicago erased an 11-point first-quarter deficit and beat Phoenix 124-117 in its preseason opener, as rookie Caleb Wilson logged a team-high 29 minutes.

Suns vs Bulls Prediction, Pick, Odds for NBA Preseason on Wednesday, October 7 — Yahoo Sports
Suns vs Bulls Prediction, Pick, Odds for NBA Preseason on Wednesday, October 7 — Yahoo Sports

The Chicago Bulls opened their preseason Wednesday night at the United Center with a 124-117 win over the Phoenix Suns, who were playing their second exhibition game in a few days. It was the usual early-October mix of starters on a short leash and rotation spots still being sorted. The Bulls spent most of the night looking like the team that had more to figure out and still pulled away.

Caleb Wilson was the center of attention for Chicago, and he played like it, logging a game-high 29 minutes as a starter. The rookie finished with 15 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, a steady first NBA outing rather than a loud one. Matas Buzelis added 14 points, Norman Powell scored 14 in just 14 minutes, and Jalen Smith had 13 points and 8 rebounds. Tobe Awaka came off the bench for 14 points and 11 rebounds in 21 minutes, the night's only double-double.

Dillon Brooks led all scorers with 24 points for Phoenix in 23 minutes, and he had the Suns in front early. They put up 40 in the first quarter and led by 11, then came apart. They were up 64-62 at the half, much as they had held a halftime edge in Detroit before losing it. Chicago won the third 31-26 and the fourth 31-27, and Phoenix never found an answer. Jalen Green scored 12 and Devin Booker 11, and Collin Gillespie scored 12 off the bench.

The Suns also lost Miles Bridges, a starter, after he rolled his ankle. He played 8 minutes and scored 3 points. At center, Oso Ighodaro again got the starting nod over Khaman Maluach. Ighodaro scored 8 in 18 minutes, while Maluach played 25 off the bench and finished with 8 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. That competition is unlikely to be settled in October.

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