New Orleans Pelicans Defeat Phoenix Suns 124-116 in Thrilling NBA Matchup
Image credits: AP Photo/Samantha Chow
The New Orleans Pelicans have pulled off a significant upset, defeating the Phoenix Suns 124-116 in their recent NBA matchup. This win marks the Pelicans' second consecutive victory over the Suns, with Zion Williamson playing a crucial role in the team's success. Williamson achieved his first career triple-double, scoring 27 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds, making him a key player in the Pelicans' win.
The Suns, despite being without Bradley Beal due to a left calf injury, put up a strong fight, with Devin Booker scoring a game-high 36 points and Kevin Durant adding 28 points. However, the Pelicans' strong performance in the paint, outscoring the Suns 58-34, ultimately led to their victory. The Pelicans also had two other players with double-doubles, Yves Missi and Karlo Matkovic, who scored 11-10 and 17-10 in points and rebounds, respectively.
The game was closely contested, with the Pelicans' largest lead being 18 points in the second quarter, thanks to a 13-0 run. The Suns fought back, tying the game on a 25-7 surge, but the Pelicans maintained their lead throughout the game. The Suns' largest lead was seven points at 1:35 in the third quarter, but they were unable to hold on to it. As the game approached its final 10 minutes, the Pelicans took over, with Williamson leading the charge. The Pelicans were up by eight points with 1:19 remaining, and although Durant scored a layup for the Suns' final field goal, it was not enough to change the outcome of the game.
The Pelicans' win is a significant upset, given the Suns' stronger record and home-court advantage. The Suns are now five games under the .500 mark, with a record of 27-32, while the Pelicans improve to 16-43. The two teams will face each other again on Friday, with the Suns looking to bounce back from their loss. The Suns' starting lineup included Tyus Jones, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Bol Bol, and Nick Richards, while the Pelicans started with McCollum, Trey Murphy III, Zion Williamson, Karlo Matkovic, and Yves Missi. The game saw several players missing due to injuries, including Bradley Beal, Monte Morris, and Jalen Bridges for the Suns, and Kelly Olynyk, Bruce Brown, and Dejounte Murray for the Pelicans.
The matchup between the Suns and Pelicans was highly anticipated, with the Suns being a 6.5-point favorite and the point total set at 236.5. The game lived up to its expectations, with both teams putting on a thrilling performance. The Pelicans' victory is a testament to their resilience and determination, and they will look to carry this momentum into their next game. The Suns, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to overcome their injuries and get back on track. The Pelicans' win can be broken down into the following statistics:
- Match score: 124-116 in favor of the Pelicans
- Pelicans' largest lead: 18 points in the second quarter
- Suns' largest lead: 7 points at 1:35 in the third quarter
- Williamson's triple-double: 27 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds
- Booker's points: 36
- Durant's points: 28
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