Suns vengeful after embarrassing loss, defeat Pelicans 125-108

Phoenix Suns forward Bol Bol shoots over New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III (Image courtesy of Hannah Hayworth/Burn City Sports)

PHOENIX — Bol Bol’s 25 points carried the Phoenix Suns in a 125-108 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, responding to an embarrassing loss the night prior.

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Bol’s 25 points came on 9-of-12 shooting (five 3s). He was one of five Suns to score at least 17 points and the only one to score over 20. Nick Richards added 19 points and 12 rebounds, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant each scored 17 points and Royce O’Neale poured in six threes for 18 points.

Pelicans rookie center Yves Missi had a career-high 24 points on 11-for-14 shooting. Jordan Hawkins also added 24 points and four assists.

Phoenix (28-32) plays again on Sunday against the Minnesota Timberwolves for the third of a four-game homestand.

Bol continues dominance in 3rd quarter

Bol Bol scored another eight points in the third quarter, lifting his total to 25 points on the night, giving Phoenix a 92-70 lead ahead of the final period.

Bol’s 25 points included five 3-pointers on eight attempts. He led all scorers through three quarters. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker were relatively quiet with 12 and 10 points respectively as Nick Richards was second in scoring with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Yves Missi continued to dominate the game, posting 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting through the first three periods. He was the only Pelican in double figures along with Jordan Hawkins, who had 13 points.

Suns role players pick up slack in 2nd quarter

Bol Bol (seven points), Tyus Jones and Nick Richards (six points each) were vital in fending off a strong Pelican response in the second quarter as the Suns went into halftime up 63-42.

Bol tied Yves Missi to lead the game in scoring wit 17 points in 16 minutes, hitting three 3s in five attempts. Nick Richards scored 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the first half as a part of the effort to fend off the young, gritty and undermanned Pelicans while Kevin Durant (nine points) and Devin Booker (five points) eased into the scoring.

Missi scored his 17 points on 8-for-10 shooting, mostly in the paint. However, he was the only New Orleans player in double figures. The next closest was Antonio Reeves with eight points in 11 minutes.

Bol, Durant spark Suns’ 1st quarter surge

Fan-favorite Bol Bol scorched earth with 10 first-quarter points on 4-of-6 shooting to give Phoenix and early 40-18 over the Pelicans.

Kevin Durant followed Bol with nine points and three assists while being a game-high plus-22 in the first 12 minutes. Trey Murphy III opened last game on fire from beyond the arc and the Suns contained him to just five points this game. Royce O’Neale sunk two 3s off the bench and Nick Richards and Ryan Dunn provided five points each as well.

Yves Missi, as aggressive as he is by nature, attacked the paint every chance he got and scored 10 points in the opening period on 5-of-7 shooting.

Injury report

Bradley Beal missed his second consecutive game with left calf tightness. Grayson Allen showed up doubtful and was later downgraded to out with left foot soreness before the game. Cody Martin (sports hernia) and Monte Morris (low back spasms) were also out.

For New Orleans, Zion Williamson (return to competition reconditioning), Dejounte Murray (right Achilles rupture), CJ McCollum (rest), Herb Jones (torn rotator cuff) and Brandon Boston (left ankle sprain) were all out.

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Reporter Connor Moreno covers the Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @cmorenoNBA, and on Bluesky, @cloading.bsky.social