The New Orleans Pelicans ended their nine-game losing streak with a dramatic 126-124 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night. Brandon Ingram, returning from a five-game absence, led the way with 29 points in a tightly contested game that came down to the final seconds.
Herb Jones, playing in his first game back after a shoulder injury, sealed the win by blocking Devin Booker’s potential game-tying three-pointer as time expired. Jones, who contributed 12 points and four steals, delivered a crucial defensive performance for the Pelicans.
CJ McCollum added 25 points, but his missed free throw with three seconds left gave the Suns a last opportunity to change the outcome. The Pelicans relied on Trey Murphy, who scored 19 points, and rookie Yves Missi, who dominated the boards with 12 rebounds, to maintain their lead in the clutch.
Devin Booker led Phoenix with 28 points, while Bradley Beal and Royce O’Neale contributed 24 and 19 points, respectively. The Suns were without Kevin Durant (ankle sprain) and Jusuf Nurkic (thigh bruise), which left them shorthanded in key moments.
Herb Jones’ clutch plays defined the final moments. With 2:02 left, he stole the ball and hit a three-pointer to extend New Orleans’ lead to 121-117. After McCollum’s floater and a Murphy alley-oop dunk, the Pelicans were up 125-121 with 15 seconds remaining.
Despite Phoenix’s push in the closing seconds, New Orleans held firm. The Suns made 17 three-pointers but couldn’t capitalize on their late-game opportunities. The Pelicans’ defense, highlighted by Jones’ pivotal block, proved decisive.
New Orleans benefitted from having five of its top six players on the court together for the first time since late October. This cohesion resulted in a significantly more competitive performance compared to their recent struggles.
Phoenix showed resilience despite missing key contributors. O’Neale’s five three-pointers and Grayson Allen’s 10 assists off the bench kept them within striking distance. However, turnovers and missed defensive assignments ultimately cost the Suns.
The Pelicans, now 5-18, aim to build on this victory as they look to climb out of the Western Conference basement. Meanwhile, the Suns, at 12-9, will focus on regaining their health and consistency as they continue their push in a highly competitive playoff race.
