Devin Booker shines in Suns’ hard-fought win over Pelicans
The Phoenix Suns faced a tough challenge on Friday night but emerged victorious with a 115-108 win against the New Orleans Pelicans. This game marked the beginning of a demanding four-game road trip, and while the Suns secured the win, the contest was characterized by a series of struggles from both teams.
Shooting Struggles
Throughout the match, both teams grappled with their shooting accuracy. The Suns and Pelicans combined to hit only 20% of their attempts from beyond the arc, leaving fans yearning for more offensive fireworks. Despite this lackluster display, Devin Booker showcased his scoring prowess, leading Phoenix with an impressive 30 points. On the opposing side, Zion Williamson contributed 20 points for New Orleans, but it wasn’t enough to clinch a win.
With this victory, the Suns improved their record to 17-13 for the season. They will return to the Smoothie King Center on Saturday for a quick turnaround, facing the Pelicans again in the second leg of the back-to-back matchup.
First Quarter Dynamics
The opening quarter saw both teams exchanging baskets as they settled into the game. Phoenix gradually began to assert themselves, pulling ahead to finish the first quarter with a 26-23 lead. Mark Williams stood out during this stretch, wrapping up the quarter with six points and five rebounds. Unfortunately, both teams struggled from three-point range, shooting a collective 4-for-16. The Suns also faced challenges with ball control, committing seven turnovers as the Pelicans aggressively pursued passing lanes.
Injury Setbacks
The second quarter took a turn for the worse for the Suns when second-year forward Ryan Dunn exited the game due to an injury. Despite this setback, Phoenix managed to maintain a narrow lead throughout the quarter and went into halftime with a 53-48 advantage. At this point, only Williams and Jordan Poole had reached double digits in scoring. The Suns dominated the boards, collecting an impressive 31 rebounds, including 12 offensive rebounds compared to New Orleans’ six. Remarkably, Phoenix led for 73% of the first half, showcasing their resilience.
Third Quarter Adjustments
After a brief delay due to a shot-clock malfunction, the third quarter finally got underway. Dunn, who had previously left the game, was cleared to return, bolstering the Suns’ lineup. Phoenix opened the half with a quick 7-0 run, prompting Pelicans head coach Willie Green to call a timeout to regroup. The adjustment paid off; New Orleans responded with a run of their own, narrowing the gap and forcing Suns coach Ott to call a timeout with the score at 81-80 in favor of Phoenix by the end of the quarter. The Pelicans capitalized on their opportunities, attempting 16 free throws during this period. In a tense moment, Collin Gillespie appeared to sustain a groin injury but managed to recover.
Final Quarter Tension
The fourth quarter kicked off with the Pelicans tying the game at 85-85, fueled by an 8-0 run while both Booker and Dillon Brooks took a breather on the bench. With their stars back in the game, the Suns regained their momentum. The teams traded blows in a competitive finish, but Phoenix managed to build a five-point lead with less than a minute remaining. In the closing moments, Booker stepped to the free-throw line, extending their lead to six points with just 30 seconds on the clock. This proved to be an insurmountable advantage for the Pelicans, sealing the Suns’ hard-fought win before the final buzzer sounded.
