Pelicans End 9-Game Nightmare in a Thrilling Battle Against Suns!

Brandon Ingram made a spectacular return from a five-game absence, scoring 29 points to lead the New Orleans Pelicans to a thrilling 126-124 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night. Ingram’s performance, coupled with strong contributions from Herb Jones and CJ McCollum, helped snap the Pelicans’ nine-game losing streak.

Key Plays and Moments

Ingram’s return was a key factor in the Pelicans’ win, but Jones also made a huge impact in his first game back after missing 18 games due to a shoulder injury. With just seconds remaining, Jones blocked a potential game-winning shot by Phoenix’s Devin Booker, preserving the win for New Orleans.

Booker, who led the Suns with 28 points, had an opportunity to either tie or win the game when he received an inbound pass with three seconds left. However, as Booker rose for a 3-pointer, Jones swatted the ball away, securing the Pelicans’ first victory in nearly three weeks.

“Herb made a clutch play on Booker at the end, and that was huge,” Pelicans head coach Willie Green said.

Strong Contributions Across the Board

While Ingram’s scoring was pivotal, McCollum also played a critical role in the win, scoring 25 points. He missed a free throw with just three seconds left, which allowed the Suns a final chance to tie or win. However, McCollum redeemed himself by driving for a floater to give the Pelicans a lead with 35 seconds remaining. He then assisted Trey Murphy on a dunk that extended the lead to 125-121, effectively sealing the win for New Orleans.

Jones, besides his game-winning block, had an impressive overall performance, finishing with 12 points and four steals. His key corner 3-pointer with 2:02 left put the Pelicans ahead 121-117, further contributing to the momentum shift.

Trey Murphy also added 19 points, Dejounte Murray chipped in with 17, and rookie center Yves Missi grabbed 12 rebounds, helping to solidify the Pelicans’ victory on both ends of the floor.

Suns’ Resilience Despite Missing Key Players

Despite playing without star forward Kevin Durant (left ankle sprain) and center Jusuf Nurkic (right thigh bruise), the Phoenix Suns pushed the Pelicans to the limit. Bradley Beal, another key player for Phoenix, added 24 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Pelicans’ late-game heroics.

The Suns were competitive throughout the game and even led 65-54 at halftime. However, the Pelicans made a dramatic comeback, fueled by a strong third-quarter performance. New Orleans made seven of nine 3-point attempts in the third quarter, outscoring Phoenix 45-28 to turn a 65-54 deficit into a 99-93 lead heading into the final period.

Pelicans Show New Life

For the first time since late October, the Pelicans had five of their top six players available for this game, and their chemistry was evident on the court. With Ingram and Jones back, and McCollum playing at a high level, New Orleans looked far more competitive than they had in recent weeks.

“It’s been a tough stretch, but getting those guys back really changes things for us,” McCollum said. “We know we’re capable of competing at a high level, and this is a big step in the right direction.”