New Orleans Pelicans Defeat Phoenix Suns with Zion Williamson's Triple-Double
Image credits: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
The New Orleans Pelicans have secured their third consecutive victory, defeating the Phoenix Suns 124-116 on Thursday night, with Zion Williamson achieving his first career triple-double. Williamson's impressive performance included 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, making him a key factor in the team's success. The Pelicans' CJ McCollum added 19 points to the score, contributing to the team's win in the first game of a two-game set in Phoenix.
The Phoenix Suns had managed to climb out of an 18-point deficit in the first half and took a 91-88 lead after three quarters. However, the Pelicans dominated most of the fourth quarter, with Williamson making two crucial buckets in the paint to seal the win. The Pelicans improved to 5-24 on the road this season, with all five starters scoring in double figures, including Trey Murphy III, who had 18 points and made five 3-pointers. Yves Missi added 11 points and 10 rebounds to the team's score.
The Suns, on the other hand, have lost seven of their last eight games, with Devin Booker scoring 36 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists, and Kevin Durant scoring 28 points. Despite their efforts, the Suns' defense struggled, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they shot 9 of 25 from the field (36%) and just 2 of 14 (14.3%) from 3-point range. The Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic hit a corner 3 with 3:24 left to put the Pelicans up 116-108, finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Here are the match scores:
- Pelicans: 124
- Suns: 116
- Zion Williamson: 27 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists
- CJ McCollum: 19 points
- Trey Murphy III: 18 points, 5 3-pointers
- Yves Missi: 11 points, 10 rebounds
- Devin Booker: 36 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists
- Kevin Durant: 28 points
The Pelicans' recent performance has been impressive, with the team playing better with Zion Williamson in the lineup. They could potentially play spoiler over the next few months, given their current form. In contrast, the Suns are running out of time to start playing better and make the playoffs, despite having Kevin Durant and Devin Booker scoring high points most nights. The team's defense has been a major concern, and they will need to address this issue to improve their overall basketball performance. With the NBA season nearing its end, the Suns must find a way to turn their season around and make a push for the playoffs.
pelican sun williamson zion orlean double point phoenix triple quarter
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