Zion Williamson's Stellar Overall Game Eclipses Suns In Crucial Western Conference Matchup

Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson's return leads New Orleans to a must-win victory over the Phoenix Suns.

New Orleans got a huge win on Sunday when they went into Phoenix and defeated the Suns 113-105. The Pelicans welcomed back Zion Williamson from a finger injury, and his return guided them on both ends of the court. Williamson finished with 29 points, ten rebounds, seven assists, and a career-high five blocks in the victory.

The Pelicans started the game like it would be another long day in the desert. Phoenix jumped out to a double-digit lead, but a strong opening quarter from CJ McCollum kept the Pels close. McCollum scored ten points on 4/7 shooting from the field. Phoenix's scoring was more balanced, with all five starters scoring to open the game. New Orleans committed six turnovers and yielded six points off turnovers for the Suns. A late jumper from Kevin Durant gave Phoenix a 26-19 lead after the first quarter.

The Pels quickly closed the gap with a run to open the period and tied the game at 36 with a Trey Murphy III three-point shot. From that point, the Pelicans closed the half on a 20-14 run, giving them a 56-50 lead at the half. McCollum added another 11 points, but Jose Alvarado's big half was the story early in the game. Jose returned after missing five straight games with a right oblique injury to score 12 points off the bench in the opening half. The Pelicans bench has struggled mightily lately, so Alvarado's stellar bench play was a welcome sign for New Orleans.

New Orleans extended their lead in the third quarter with some hot shooting from McCollum and Alvarado. McCollum and Alvarado combined for 12 made three-point shots through three quarters to give New Orleans a seven-point lead heading into the final period. The lead would not last long after Suns guard Bradley Beal heated up quickly to begin the fourth quarter.

Beal scored the Suns' first 13 points to give the Suns a one-point lead. Williamson would not be denied, scoring 14 points in the final quarter and blocking two shots on defense to seal the victory. The story coming into the game would be how the Pelicans would guard Devin Booker, who had scored at least 50 points in three straight games versus New Orleans. Booker finished with 25 points on 9/16 shooting, with Herb Jones and Dyson Daniels harassing him most of the night.

CJ McCollum scored 30 or more points for the third straight game, as McCollum is playing some of the best basketball of the season. McCollum played a season-high 42 minutes in the victory, and New Orleans outshot the Suns from the field and the three-point line. The victory ties the Pelicans and Suns with a 46-32 record, with the Suns having the overall tiebreaker. New Orleans continues their road trip with a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.