Brandon Ingram returned from a five-game absence with a commanding 29-point performance, helping the New Orleans Pelicans end their nine-game losing streak with a thrilling 126-124 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.
Herb Jones, making his own comeback after missing 18 games, sealed the win with a clutch block on Devin Booker’s potential game-winning three-point attempt at the buzzer.
The Pelicans showcased resilience throughout the game, with CJ McCollum chipping in 25 points. Although McCollum missed a critical free throw with three seconds remaining, Jones’ defensive heroics ensured Phoenix wouldn’t capitalize on their final opportunity. Jones also contributed a crucial steal and a corner three late in the fourth quarter, finishing the game with 12 points and four steals.
The Suns, playing without Kevin Durant and Jusuf Nurkic, nearly pulled off the win behind Devin Booker’s 28 points and Bradley Beal’s 24. However, New Orleans’ ability to hit key shots down the stretch and dominate from beyond the arc proved decisive.
Takeaways from the Game
Suns: Even without two key players, Phoenix fought valiantly, showing the depth of their roster. However, their inability to execute on the final play and struggles defending the perimeter ultimately cost them the game.
Pelicans: For the first time since late October, New Orleans had most of their core rotation available. With Ingram, McCollum, and Jones all contributing, the team looked significantly more competitive than they have during their recent skid.
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Key Moments
The pivotal sequence came in the final minute. McCollum hit a driving floater with 35 seconds left to give the Pelicans the lead, followed by an alley-oop assist to Trey Murphy that extended the advantage to 125-121. Even after a late Suns rally, Jones’ block on Booker’s buzzer-beater secured the much-needed victory.
Key Stat
The Pelicans’ third-quarter shooting was the turning point. Trailing 65-54 at halftime, New Orleans erupted for seven three-pointers on nine attempts in the third, flipping the script and building a 99-93 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Player Contributions
Trey Murphy provided valuable secondary scoring with 19 points, while rookie Yves Missi impressed on the boards with 12 rebounds. For the Suns, Booker’s offensive efforts were matched by Beal’s consistent scoring, but they missed the playmaking of Durant and Nurkic in the clutch.
What’s Next?
The Suns head to Miami on Saturday to face the Heat, hoping to bounce back after a narrow loss. Meanwhile, the Pelicans will look to build momentum as they host the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder in what promises to be a challenging matchup.
The Pelicans’ win not only breaks their losing streak but also signals a potential turnaround as they regain their health and rhythm. For the Suns, it’s a missed opportunity, but their resilience without key players remains a positive takeaway.
