The Phoenix Suns suffered a 124-117 defeat against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center during their preseason opener. This initial contest was defined by an ankle injury to Miles Bridges and significant struggles from Devin Booker's perimeter shooting.
Miles Bridges' ankle injury and the frontcourt shuffle
The Phoenix Suns faced an immediate setback when forward Miles Bridges sustained a right ankle injury during the first half of the game. As the report states, Bridges was unable to return to the court, leaving the Phoenix coaching staff to scramble for frontcourt depth. This injury comes at a sensitive time as the team attempts to solidify its rotation before the regular season begins.
Head coach Jordan Ott emphasized that the preseason is a vital period for assessing fit and chemistry among the backcourt and frontcourt rotations. While Ott plans to grant more minutes to the starting lineup in upcoming cotnests, the sudden absence of Bridges complicates the evaluation of the team's overall depth. The coaching staff must now determine how to redistribute playing time to maintain a competitive presence in the paint.
The struggle to contain Chicago's double-digit offensive rebounds
Defensive rebounding remains a glaring vulnerability for the Phoenix Suns, echoing the struggles that saw them near the bottom of the league last season. During the matchup against the Chicago Bulls, the Bulls' players secured double-digit offensive rebounds, while the Suns' big men failed to collect more than five rebounds each. This disparity in the paint prevented Phoenix from controlling the tempo and allowed Chicago to sustain momentum.
Despite these defensive lapses, the Suns' second unit provided a momentary spark of energy. Players such as Collin Gillespie, Luke Kennard, Jordan Goodwin, Ryan Dunn, and Khaman Maluach orchestrated a late-first-quarter surge that briefly tied the game. However, the lack of consistent rebounding from the interior remains a systeic issue that could hinder the team's ability to compete against high-caliber opponents in the regular season.
Devin Booker's 1-for-12 shooting performance
A major point of concern for the Suns' management was the perimeter shooting of veteran guard Devin Booker. According to the report, Booker struggled significantly from beyond the arc, finishing the game just 1-for-12 from three-point range. This performance is particularly troubling because it aligns with a downward trend in his shooting efficiency observed over his previous two seasons.
The coaching staff is reportedly monitoring Booker's permeter efficiency closely, hoping that adjustments made during training camp will lift his shooting percentages.. While the Bulls' Dillon Brooks led the scoring with 24 points and rookie Caleb Wilson added 15, the Suns' ability to win will likely depend on whether their primary offensive weapons can find their rhythm. The preseason serves as a critical window for Booker to correct these shooting mechanics before the official campaign begins.
The question of Miles Bridges' long-term avalability
The injury to Miles Bridges leaves several critical questions unanswered for the Suns' organization. First, the team must determine the severity of the right ankle injury and how long Bridges might be sidelined. If the injury requires an extended recovery period, the Suns will need to look deeper into their roster to find reliable frontcourt support.
Additionally, the coaching staff must address whether the energy shown by the bench can be translated into more disciplined defensive rebounding. With the Bulls demonstrating how easily they can exploit the Suns' interior,the ability to secure the ball becomes a non-negotiable requirement for success. The upcoming preseason games will be vital in determining if Phoenix can address these fundamental flaws.
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