Suns’ Time in the Sugar State Ends Sour in Loss to Pelicans
The Phoenix Suns (16-11) were unable to split the two-game series against the New Orleans Pelicans (18-8) dropping the second game 129-124 at the Smoothie King Center in overtime. The Suns have now lost four in a row, their longest streak since the 2019-20 season when they lost eight in a row.
Both the Suns and Pelicans were without key contributors as Devin Booker was out for Phoenix with a hamstring injury and Brandon Ingram with a toe injury, respectively.
The gravity of the game was immense for the Suns after Friday night’s 128-117 loss, solidifying a new rivalry for the Valley Boys.
Suns' Head Coach Monty Williams wanted to shy away from that going into the game stating in the pregame press conference, “I think it's just a bit overblown. There are narratives and story lines that go with a game, I get that question for sure. But I think anytime we play, if you follow us at all, there seems to be something with us.”
He elaborated, “I think by and large all NBA guys go into a game with a level of intensity that's different from college or high school...that's because this is the highest level. That's just my take on it. I could be wrong.”
Regardless, the intensity was there early for Phoenix as they looked strong early in the contest. They were led early by Mikal Bridges who finished the game with 27 points on 10-23 shooting in 45 minutes. A 36-29 first quarter lead was shrunk in the second to finish the half 58-57 Suns.
The Pelicans made the better adjustments coming out of the half and did one better than Friday night’s 40-point third quarter by putting up 41. The Suns' were without Deandre for most of the quarter due to foul trouble. The Pelicans had a lead as large as 15 during the second half but Phoenix scratched their way back trailing by just 6 with 5:12 to go and a foul was called for Zion Williamson.
Williams challenged the foul call and had it reversed against Williamson, his first foul in seven quarters of basketball, which led to a Phoenix possession and bucket for Jock Landale. It became a one-point game with 3:35 left thanks to a three by Bridges, 109-108 Pelicans. With 2 minutes left a turnover by Jock Landale gave the Pelicans a 113-111 lead. Torrey Craig was fouled at the 1:48 mark and Ayton was brought back in for the final push. Craig made both free throw shots to tie the game at 113.
Ayton was fouled out against Williamson with 36.4 seconds remaining. He finished his night at 28 points and 12 rebounds in 33 minutes. Williamson bricked his first free throw before making his second giving New Orleans a 116-113 lead. Phoenix called a timeout with 36.1 seconds left to regroup the guys and swap Craig for Damion Lee.
Lee inbounded to Paul who then passed the ball back to Lee, forcing Naji Marshall to foul the sharpshooter who made both free throws to bring Phonix within one trailing 116-115 with 26.4 seconds left. New Orleans took a timeout with 26.4 seconds left. The Suns were not quick to foul the Pelicans but did eventually against Marshall who made his first shot but missed his second, 117-115 New Orleans. A size miss matched CP3 was able to recover the rebound score from midrange to tie the game at 117. Williamson had a chance to finish the game once again but bricked the open shot.
In overtime with 2:52 remaining Williamson was originally charged with a foul against Paul for 3 and a challenge by Pelicans head coach Willie Green reversed the call and fouled out Paul for the remainder of overtime. The game was locked by the Pelicans with 2:03 to go and a Marshall layup to give the Pelicans a 127-120 lead.
The Suns will look to find their winning ways in Houston against the Rockets on Tuesday. It is unknown if Booker will be back but is listed as day-to-day.
