Suns Vs Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls have made a significant leap in the Eastern Conference standings, marking a notable shift in their season trajectory. For the first time in 2025, the Bulls are no longer languishing in 10th place in the East. This change came after a crucial victory against the Utah Jazz on March 17, which allowed them to surpass the Miami Heat and claim the ninth spot in the conference. This rise in the standings is a testament to the team’s recent resurgence, as they have managed to turn their season around with a series of strong performances.

The Bulls have been on a hot streak, winning five of their last six games. Their only loss during this stretch came against the Houston Rockets, who are currently the second-best team in the Western Conference. Despite the loss, the Bulls put up a valiant fight, narrowly falling short with a final score of 117-114. This game highlighted the team’s resilience and ability to compete against some of the league’s top contenders. Over the past few weeks, the Bulls have been performing at an elite level, ranking in the top 10 in several key statistical categories, including net rating, defensive rating, fast break points, points in the paint, plus/minus, and points allowed. This impressive run has been fueled by a combination of an aggressive, attacking offense and a stifling defense, which has led to a late-season renaissance for the team.

Just over a month ago, the Bulls’ season seemed to be heading in a completely different direction. After trading away their star player, Zach LaVine, many believed that the team was on the verge of a full-scale rebuild. The early results following the trade seemed to confirm these suspicions, as the Bulls struggled to find their footing, winning only three games in February. However, the narrative has shifted dramatically in March, as the team has found a new rhythm and identity. A significant portion of the credit for this turnaround can be attributed to the emergence of 22-year-old point guard Josh Giddey, who has been nothing short of spectacular since the All-Star break.

Giddey has been a revelation for the Bulls, putting up eye-popping numbers that have solidified his status as one of the league’s most promising young talents. Since the All-Star break, he has averaged 23.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game, while shooting an impressive 52.2 percent from the field and 52.5 percent from beyond the arc. His ability to impact the game in multiple ways has been a driving force behind the Bulls’ recent success. Giddey’s masterful performances became a nightly occurrence, and he quickly established himself as the team’s floor general. However, his momentum was temporarily halted when he suffered a sprained right ankle during a game against the Indiana Pacers on March 10.

The injury was a cause for concern, as Giddey immediately left the game and was visibly frustrated, slamming his hand on a table as he headed to the locker room. The injury was particularly worrisome because it was the same ankle that Giddey had injured during the Olympics the previous summer. Speaking to reporters after the game, Giddey described the injury as “the most pain I’ve ever had from a rolled ankle,” which raised questions about how long he would be sidelined. Despite the severity of the injury, Giddey’s recovery has been remarkably swift, and he is set to make his return to the court on March 19 against the Phoenix Suns.

Giddey’s return is a significant boost for the Bulls, as he has been a key contributor to their recent success. Although he suffered the injury just nine days ago, Giddey has been cleared to play and is officially off the injury report ahead of the game against the Suns. He joined the Bulls on their six-game road trip and only missed the first two games against the Houston Rockets and the Utah Jazz. His return to the lineup is expected to provide a much-needed spark for the team as they continue their push for a playoff spot.

In Giddey’s absence, head coach Billy Donovan turned to 6-foot-7 wing Kevin Huerter to fill the void. Huerter has been serviceable in his role, but there’s no denying that the Bulls are a much better team with Giddey on the floor. With Giddey now healthy, Donovan is expected to revert to a starting lineup that features Coby White, Tre Jones, Matas Buzelis, and Nikola Vucevic alongside the young point guard. This combination has proven to be effective, and the Bulls will be looking to build on their recent success as they head into the final stretch of the season.

While Giddey is set to return against the Suns, fans shouldn’t expect to see him in the lineup for the Bulls’ next game against the Sacramento Kings on March 20. Donovan has previously indicated that Giddey would only play in one of the team’s back-to-back contests as he continues to ease back into action following his injury. This cautious approach is understandable, as the Bulls will need Giddey at full strength if they hope to make a deep playoff run.

The Bulls’ recent success has been a collective effort, but Giddey’s individual brilliance has been the driving force behind their resurgence. His ability to score, rebound, and facilitate at such a high level has transformed the team’s offense, while his defensive contributions have been equally impactful. Giddey’s emergence as a legitimate star has given the Bulls a new sense of hope and optimism, as they look to build a competitive team around him in the coming years.

The Bulls’ late-season surge has been a pleasant surprise for fans who had grown accustomed to mediocrity in recent years. After trading away LaVine, many expected the team to bottom out and focus on rebuilding through the draft. However, the team’s young core, led by Giddey, has shown that they are capable of competing at a high level. The Bulls’ recent performances have been a testament to the team’s resilience and determination, as they have managed to overcome adversity and put themselves in a position to compete for a playoff spot.

As the regular season winds down, the Bulls will be looking to maintain their momentum and secure their place in the postseason. With Giddey back in the lineup, the team has a legitimate chance to make some noise in the playoffs. While they may not be considered championship contenders just yet, the Bulls have shown that they are a team on the rise, and their future looks brighter than it has in years. The combination of young talent, experienced veterans, and a strong coaching staff has created a winning culture in Chicago, and the Bulls are poised to build on this success in the years to come.

In conclusion, the Chicago Bulls’ recent rise in the Eastern Conference standings is a testament to the team’s resilience and determination. After a slow start to the season and the departure of Zach LaVine, many wrote off the Bulls as a team in rebuilding mode. However, the emergence of Josh Giddey as a bona fide star has completely changed the trajectory of the team’s season. Giddey’s all-around brilliance has been the catalyst for the Bulls’ late-season resurgence, and his return from injury is a significant boost for the team as they push for a playoff spot. With a strong supporting cast and a renewed sense of confidence, the Bulls are proving that they are a team to be taken seriously. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Chicago to see if they can continue their impressive run and make a deep playoff push.