Pelicans Overcome Suns In Thrilling Finish

The Phoenix Suns (12-9) suffered a disappointing 126-124 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans (5-18) on Thursday, ending their two-game win streak while simultaneously snapping the Pelicans’ nine-game losing streak. Despite strong performances from Devin Booker (28 points), Bradley Beal (24 points), and Royce O’Neale (19 points), the Suns couldn’t hold on to their lead, as a dominant third quarter from Brandon Ingram (29 points) fueled the Pelicans’ comeback.

Ingram’s Third-Quarter Explosion

Brandon Ingram took control of the game in the third quarter, scoring 21 of his game-high 29 points. The Suns entered halftime with an 11-point lead, but Ingram’s scoring surge helped the Pelicans close the gap and take their first lead since early in the first quarter. New Orleans outscored Phoenix 35-23 in the third, including a 22-8 run to close the period, which put them ahead 99-93 entering the final quarter.

Ingram’s hot shooting was key to New Orleans’ success, as the Suns struggled to contain him. Despite their strong first-half performance, Phoenix couldn’t stop Ingram from igniting the Pelicans’ offense, and the Suns found themselves trailing for much of the second half.

Suns’ Late Surge Falls Short

The Suns managed to regain the lead briefly in the fourth quarter, taking a 2:33 lead, but the Pelicans closed out the game with a 9-4 run. Trey Murphy III capped off the run with a clutch alley-oop transition dunk at the 14-second mark, giving New Orleans a four-point lead. Grayson Allen, who contributed 13 points and a season-high 10 assists, hit a three-pointer with 3.7 seconds left, cutting the lead to one point.

After the Pelicans called a timeout to advance the ball, they fouled CJ McCollum. He made the first free throw but missed the second, and Beal grabbed the rebound, setting up a final possession for the Suns. Booker, double-teamed and under pressure, briefly lost control of the ball before attempting a contested three-pointer that was blocked, sealing the Pelicans’ victory.

Strong First Half But Injuries Loom

The Suns were in control for much of the first half, leading 65-54 at the break. Bradley Beal provided a scoring spark in the second quarter, scoring 9 of his 14 points in the period. He finished 6-of-8 from the field, including 4-of-4 in the second quarter. However, Beal did suffer a scare in the second when he twisted his right ankle while stepping on Ingram’s foot. Beal was slow to get up but remained in the game. The Suns went on a 13-2 run following his injury scare, extending their lead to 13 points at 4:15 in the second quarter.

Phoenix shot efficiently in the first half, hitting 53.5% of their field goals (12-of-19) and making 10 three-pointers. They also dished out 21 assists, showcasing their ball movement and offensive rhythm. Despite these positives, the Suns couldn’t maintain their momentum in the second half, allowing New Orleans to rally and steal the win.

Pelicans’ Key Contributions

In addition to Ingram’s incredible third-quarter performance, the Pelicans received solid contributions from Trey Murphy III (19 points) and CJ McCollum (10 points). Murphy was particularly effective, adding a key alley-oop dunk to seal the game in the final moments. The Pelicans also benefitted from Grayson Allen’s playmaking, with the guard contributing 13 points, a season-high 10 assists, and six rebounds.

Looking Ahead

The Suns’ loss marks a missed opportunity to extend their win streak, and they’ll need to regroup quickly as they head into their second game of a three-game road trip. Phoenix will face the Miami Heat at 6 p.m., followed by another road game on Sunday. The Suns will need to find consistency and address their late-game struggles if they want to avoid another collapse like the one against the Pelicans.

As for the Pelicans, the victory is a much-needed boost after a long losing streak. With Ingram’s explosive performance and timely contributions from other players, New Orleans will look to build momentum and improve their standing in the Western Conference.