The Smoothie King Center in New Orleans buzzed with anticipation on Friday night as the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans tipped off the first game of a two-game NBA set. Fans were eager to see how the Pelicans would respond with Jordan Poole returning from an ankle injury, but it was Devin Booker’s late-game brilliance and the Suns’ dominance on the boards that ultimately swung the contest in Phoenix’s favor, 115-108.
From the opening tip, the Suns set the tone with relentless rebounding and a physical presence in the paint. By halftime, Phoenix had built a 53-48 lead, fueled by a 31-23 advantage on the glass and a staggering 12-6 edge in offensive rebounds. Those second-chance opportunities led to 17 points for Phoenix, giving them early control even as their outside shooting faltered—they hit just 5 of 24 from deep in the first half.
Devin Booker, as expected, was the engine driving the Suns’ attack. He poured in 30 points, including a dazzling 12 in the fourth quarter when the game hung in the balance. Booker’s ability to get to the line and convert under pressure proved invaluable, especially down the stretch. According to the Associated Press, "Booker started the surge with two free throws," sparking an 18-8 run that erased a brief Pelicans lead and propelled Phoenix to victory.
Mark Williams was another difference-maker for the Suns, finishing with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Williams’ presence was felt most in the final period, where he scored 10 crucial points and anchored the Suns’ interior defense. His alley-oop dunk off a Booker feed and a series of clutch free throws in the closing minutes helped keep the Pelicans at bay. The Suns’ big man also contributed with a handful of offensive rebounds, often extending possessions and wearing down the New Orleans defense.
For the Pelicans, the night was a mix of promise and frustration. Zion Williamson led the way with 20 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, showcasing his trademark power and agility. Williamson’s aggressive drives and ability to draw fouls kept the Pelicans within striking distance, but his efforts were undermined by the team’s collective woes at the free throw line. New Orleans converted just 25 of 42 attempts, a glaring weakness that proved costly in a tightly contested game.
Jordan Poole’s return was a bright spot for the Pelicans. After sitting out the previous game due to a nagging ankle injury, Poole came off the bench and delivered 19 points on 7-18 shooting, including 2-11 from beyond the arc. He also chipped in five rebounds, six assists, one block, and four steals in 31 minutes of action. Despite playing through residual pain, Poole’s energy was palpable. "Poole missed the Pelicans' previous game with a nagging ankle injury, but he played through any residual pain and posted a solid number with the second unit," noted CBS Sports. His performance keeps the pressure on Jeremiah Fears, the current starting point guard, as the battle for backcourt minutes in New Orleans continues to heat up.
Trey Murphy III also matched Poole’s scoring output with 19 points of his own, providing timely buckets and hustle on both ends. Yet, the Pelicans’ inability to capitalize at the charity stripe haunted them throughout. Seven missed free throws in the third quarter alone threatened to derail their momentum, but New Orleans managed to close the gap to 81-80 entering the fourth. The crowd sensed a shift, and when Williamson hit a free throw with 4:58 left in the game, the Pelicans held a narrow 100-97 lead. Could they finally close out a quality opponent?
The Suns, however, had other ideas. Booker’s composure and Williams’ inside presence sparked a late-game surge. Mark Williams sank four consecutive free throws and punctuated a fast break with an emphatic alley-oop dunk, both plays igniting the Phoenix bench. With under two minutes to play, Williamson’s layup trimmed the deficit to 107-106, but Collin Gillespie responded for the Suns with a 15-foot jumper, starting a five-point burst in just 35 seconds that effectively sealed the outcome.
Gillespie’s contributions didn’t stop there. He finished with several timely baskets and assists, including a clutch jump shot down the stretch. Rasheer Fleming also made his mark for Phoenix, coming off the bench in the second quarter to score three layups during an 11-2 run. That spurt gave the Suns a 44-37 advantage and showcased the team’s depth, a factor that loomed large as the game wore on and fatigue set in for both sides.
The Pelicans’ rotation saw plenty of action, with key minutes from Jose Alvarado, Saddiq Bey, and Derik Queen. Alvarado provided a spark with a pair of layups and a three-pointer, while Bey contributed on the boards and with timely buckets. Queen was active on the glass, grabbing offensive rebounds and earning trips to the line, though he struggled to convert. The game was marked by frequent substitutions, fouls, and technicals—emotions ran high as each possession carried increased weight in the closing moments.
Despite the defeat, the Pelicans showed flashes of potential, particularly in their resilience and ability to claw back from deficits. Their defense forced turnovers and created transition opportunities, but the missed free throws and inability to secure key rebounds ultimately spelled their undoing. "The Pelicans hurt themselves with an abysmal night from the foul line, going 25 of 42," reported the Associated Press, a statistic that echoed throughout the arena as fans pondered what might have been.
With the loss, New Orleans will look to regroup quickly. The teams are set to square off again Saturday night in New Orleans, offering an immediate chance for redemption. For the Suns, the victory reinforces their status as a Western Conference contender, especially with Booker and Williams forming a dynamic inside-outside tandem. Phoenix’s rebounding advantage and late-game poise were the difference, but New Orleans knows they were only a handful of free throws away from a different result.
As the two squads prepare for the rematch, all eyes will be on the Pelicans’ backcourt rotation and whether Poole can build on his promising return. The battle between Booker and Williamson promises more fireworks, and if New Orleans can iron out their free throw troubles, the outcome could swing in their favor. For now, the Suns hold the upper hand, but the story of this budding rivalry is far from finished.
