Last updated: ~T-2h (≈1:30 PM CT, April 5, 2026)
Added to injury report Sunday, April 5 — Buzelis (the Bulls' leading scorer at 16.3 PPG / 5.8 RPG / 1.5 BPG) is now listed as QUESTIONABLE with an illness, per CBS Sports and FanDuel Research (FanDuel Research, Apr 5). This was NOT on the report at the time of the early research run. His most recent game was the 136-96 blowout loss at NYK on April 3, where he totaled 11 points and 6 rebounds. If Buzelis misses this game, the Bulls lose their best player and primary two-way engine — the offensive ceiling collapses entirely.
Bulls are at home (United Center, 3:30 PM ET tip-off). Last game was Friday April 3 at New York (136-96 loss). One full day of rest — NOT a back-to-back. No travel required; Suns are the road team.
The teams met once this season on March 5, 2026 in Phoenix. Chicago pulled off a 105-103 upset victory as +12.5-point underdogs. Collin Sexton scored 30 points, Tre Jones added 21. April 5 is the second and final meeting this season.
If Buzelis plays (questionable → active):
If Buzelis is OUT (questionable → scratch):
Also if Giddey is OUT (still questionable):
Chicago (29-48) is eliminated from playoffs; every loss helps draft lottery positioning. Phoenix (42-35) is fighting for playoff seeding in the West — significant motivation asymmetry. Chicago has lost 6 straight entering today. Bulls home over/under: only 41% of home games have gone over this season (FanDuel); with Buzelis questionable, the under on 239.5–240.5 has additional appeal.
No new injury additions since the early research run. The Suns' injury picture is unchanged.
The Suns' current core is: Devin Booker (25.7 PPG), Dillon Brooks (20.5 PPG), Jalen Green (18.2 PPG — acquired via the Kevin Durant trade), Collin Gillespie (12.0 PPG, 3.0 3PM/game in last 20G), Royce O'Neale, and Grayson Allen as depth. Mark Williams (center) is active and playing, but coming off the bench — coach Jordan Ott brought him off the bench at Charlotte on April 2, where he scored 12 points and blocked 3 shots. Ott noted Williams remains "in the starting arrangements" but used him as a reserve while managing his return from a 15-game absence (left foot stress reaction) (Arizona Sports, Apr 2; 107.5 The Game, Apr 4). Second-year center Oso Ighodaro has been starting at center in Williams' absence and may retain that role.
Phoenix last played April 2 at Charlotte — a 127-107 blowout loss in which the Suns erupted for 41 first-quarter points before collapsing in the final three quarters. This game is 3 days later on April 5; no back-to-back, 2 full rest days. No travel-fatigue concern (107.5 The Game, Apr 4).
The Suns are 3-8 in their last 11 games and riding a 2-game skid. They are 7th in the Western Conference at 42-35, sitting 4 games behind 6th-seed Minnesota with approximately 5 games left — mathematically locked into the play-in tournament. Coach Ott has been tinkering with lineups ahead of the postseason, suggesting this game may also serve as a lineup laboratory. Upcoming games vs. Houston (4/7), Dallas (4/8), LAL (4/10), and OKC (4/12) are far more critical for seeding and postseason preparation. Motivation to blow out the league's 2nd-worst team (by net rating) in a meaningless-to-Chicago contest is a genuine question (azcentral, Apr 5; 107.5 The Game, Apr 4).
Advantages:
Vulnerabilities: