While they had dominant stretches in the first half, the Phoenix Suns gave up 45 points in the third quarter and were unable to come back as the New Orleans Pelicans won 125-124.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Devin Booker scored 28 points, Bradley Beal added 24 and Royce O’Neale stashed 19 in the Suns’ (12-9) loss. Brandon Ingram was clutch in the second half with 21 of his 29 points coming in the third quarter, helping snap the Pelicans’ (5-18) nine-game losing streak.
Here are the main takeaways from the Suns being unable to pull off a win without Kevin Durant:
-An important switch in the starting lineup, O’Neale stepped in for the absence of Durant who is nursing a left ankle sprain. Rewarded a big opportunity after his reliable impact off the bench this season, O’Neale tallied 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals.
-Dropping their past nine games, the Pelicans got huge reinforcements back despite still being without superstar Zion Williamson. With Herb Jones missing 18 games with a right shoulder strain while Ingram out for the last five with a right calf injury, both returned to New Orleans’ starting lineup. Not taking long to shake off the rust, Ingram quickly got in a groove, scoring 29 points and snatching seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block. Jones had 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals.
Video Credit: New Orleans Pelicans on X/Twitter
CLICKITY CLACK. CLICKITY CLACK.
BRANDON INGRAM CAN'T MISS pic.twitter.com/vb16uNNa5T
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) December 6, 2024
-Seeing the Pelicans create an 8-2 run to open the game, the Suns pushed back and took the lead in the first quarter. McCollum drained a late 3-pointer with a few seconds left in the frame to be up 34-33. Putting up 52 points in his last appearance in New Orleans, Booker scored 15 points in the first quarter.
-Not playing a majority of the season under coach Mike Budenholzer, Suns fan favorite Bol Bol checked into the game and showed what he could do with Durant and Ryan Dunn both out. Using his 7-foot-3 stature in the paint, Bol guarded on one end and attacked the basket, chipping in with six points and four rebounds.
-A near 40% shooter from 3 in his career, McCollum has struggled to continue his consistent production from behind the arch. Firing at a 3-for-9 (33.3%) clip from deep, McCollum had 25 points, six assists and three rebounds.
-Stepping on a Pelicans defender’s foot twice, Beal went down for a few seconds and raised concerns as if he had yet another injury. Fortunately for the Suns, he was able to get back up and continue, clinching 24 points, four assists and three rebounds. Beal has missed eight games due to injuries this season, evading another and being effective.
Video Credit: Phoenix Suns on X/Twitter
The Finesse. ????@efirstbank | #SunsUp pic.twitter.com/UKUl77TmPi
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 6, 2024
-The Suns dominated in the second quarter, outscoring the Pelicans 32-20 thanks to a 13-2 run. Even though they turned the ball over 11 times in the first half, they still racked up 21 on 23 shots as a team. Phoenix shot 23-for-43 (53.5%) from the field and 10-for-22 (45.5%) from 3.
-Providing New Orleans with a much-needed scoring punch, Trey Murphy III led all Pelicans with 15 points before halftime. While his team has been decimated by injuries, Murphy III averaged 17.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in nine games coming into the matchup.
-Off to a 15-point first quarter, Booker only added 13 more points afterward, including being shut out in the second.
-Complaining about a foul he clearly disagreed with, Budenholzer was issued a technical foul in the third quarter.
-Formulating a massive push in the third quarter, the Pelicans went from down and out to regaining the lead quickly with a 22-8 run. Struggling on defense to disrupt New Orleans’ momentum, the Suns couldn’t stop the bleeding and saw New Orleans ahead 99-93 with a 45-point quarter.
-Needing a response by any means necessary, Phoenix would get back within striking distance, the Pelicans extended their lead and the trend repeated in the fourth frame. Making costly turnovers hurting their chances at coming back, the Suns conceded 16 points from 17 giveaways.
-Known more for his sharpshooting ability, Grayson Allen recorded a season-high 10 assists. Scoring 13 points from 4-of-7 (57.1%) shooting and going 3-for-5 (60%) from 3, Allen posted his first double-double of the season as well.
-McCollum finger-rolled a layup with under a minute left, and the Suns became desperate to tie it. Allen let go of a long 3 that hit the rim and out before McCollum set up an alley-oop the other way to Murphy III for the eventual dagger.
-Allen kept it interesting with a 3-pointer to make it a 125-124 game. On the inbound after McCollum missed one of his two free throws with three seconds remaining, Booker attempted a game-winning 3 but was double-teamed and unable to shoot the ball before the buzzer.
Dec 5, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dribbles against New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Mercury, Suns and ASU Athletics for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
