Suns Shift Minutes Before Game Two of the Preseason Trip

By the Suns Nightly Desk · Wednesday, October 7

Phoenix plays the second game of its preseason trip tonight at Chicago, a day after falling 107-109 in Detroit. Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green and Oso Ighodaro have all seen their minutes climb with a teammate out, though the sample stays short.

Suns Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Second Straight Road Game. Phoenix is on one day of rest for its second consecutive true road game of the preseason, tonight against the Bulls. The next game is three days out: Friday against the Spurs, on ESPN2.

Bulls Under Splitter. Chicago went 31-51 last season under Tiago Splitter. Josh Giddey averaged 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.1 assists, Norman Powell added 21.7 points, and Matas Buzelis chipped in 16.3. Zach Collins and Nic Claxton both carry uncertain status tonight, with toe and hamstring issues.

Minutes Follow the Absence. With a teammate out, Dillon Brooks has averaged 39 minutes and 28.7 points over his last three outings for Phoenix. Jalen Green's minutes are up 13 a night in that stretch, and Oso Ighodaro's are up 12, though both samples remain small.

A Number to Watch. Giddey's 9.1 assists a game last season came within reach of a triple-double average alongside his 17.0 points and 8.3 rebounds, the kind of all-around night Phoenix will have to limit tonight.

Options Locked In. Phoenix exercised its 2027-28 contract options on Ryan Dunn and Khaman Maluach on October 1, keeping both signed for two more seasons as the rebuild leans on youth up front and on the wing.

Open Question Off the Court. Dillon Brooks still faces a misdemeanor DUI charge, according to a report on September 30, with no word yet on how it will be resolved, and it remains the one unresolved storyline off the court.

On deck Next up: the Spurs at home Friday on ESPN2, then at the Spurs again Oct. 14 and the Jazz at home Oct. 16, before the regular-season opener Oct. 21 at the Trail Blazers.

When do the Suns play the Bulls?

Tonight, October 7, 2026, in a preseason game at Chicago.

Is Mark Williams playing tonight?

No. Williams is out with a shoulder injury and isn't expected back until February 3, 2027.