The Phoenix Suns took to the road Friday night and emerged with a gritty 115-108 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center, a win that showcased their resilience, adaptability, and star power. While the final score may tell part of the story, it was the Suns’ ability to adjust on the fly and execute under pressure that truly defined the night.
Coming into the matchup, the Suns were riding high off a decisive 132-108 win against the Los Angeles Lakers just three days earlier. But the trip to New Orleans marked the first stop in a challenging four-game road swing—no easy feat for any NBA squad. The Pelicans, meanwhile, had their own momentum, having won five of their last six games before a setback against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Both teams had plenty to prove as the season approached its midpoint.
Early on, the Suns struggled to find their offensive rhythm. Shots that usually fall rimmed out, and the offense looked stagnant. Head coach Jordan Ott, who has been praised for his tactical adjustments this season, watched as his team searched for answers. "It came from adjustment," wrote Benjamin Bliklen of Burn City Sports, capturing the essence of the Suns’ approach. Rather than panic, Phoenix simplified its execution, moved the ball quicker, and improved spacing. Suddenly, the offense stopped chasing points and started creating them.
The Suns’ starting lineup featured Devin Booker, Collin Gillespie, Royce O'Neale, Dillon Brooks, and Mark Williams. Missing from the rotation were guards Grayson Allen (knee) and Jalen Green (hamstring), both sidelined due to injuries. Ott addressed Allen’s status before the game, explaining, “It’s just time. It continues to progress. It’s just a time thing. Anytime you get two days in between [games] in the NBA season... but yeah, if we could have three days it’d be better to get him back. We have two days to advantage of it. Hope to see him in New Orleans.”
The Pelicans weren’t at full strength either, missing Herbert Jones (ankle) and Dejounte Murray (Achilles), with Jordan Poole (ankle) listed as questionable prior to tip-off. Despite these setbacks, New Orleans remained a tough opponent on their home court.
The game itself was a back-and-forth affair, with neither side able to establish a commanding lead through three quarters. The Suns built a 53-48 halftime advantage, thanks in large part to their dominance on the glass. Phoenix outrebounded the Pelicans 31-23 in the first half and enjoyed a 12-6 edge on offensive boards, translating to a 17-6 margin in second-chance points. Rasheer Fleming provided a spark off the bench, delivering three layups during an 11-2 run that put the Suns in front in the second quarter.
But the Pelicans refused to go quietly. Zion Williamson, their dynamic forward, led the charge with 20 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Jordan Poole and Trey Murphy III chipped in 19 points apiece, with Poole keeping the hosts close in the first half by nailing a pair of deep three-pointers and converting a four-point play. The Pelicans’ Achilles’ heel, though, was their performance at the free-throw line. They finished a dismal 25-of-42 from the stripe, missing seven free throws in the third quarter alone—a stretch that could have swung the momentum their way.
Heading into the fourth quarter, the Suns clung to a narrow 81-80 lead. The contest remained tight, and with 4:58 left, the Pelicans actually held a 100-97 advantage after Williamson sank a free throw. That’s when Devin Booker took over.
Booker, who has been the heart and soul of this Suns team all season, poured in 12 of his game-high 30 points in the final period. He started the late surge with a pair of free throws, and then orchestrated the offense as Phoenix closed out the game on an 18-8 run. Mark Williams, who finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, was equally clutch down the stretch. Williams scored 10 points in the fourth, including four consecutive free throws and a thunderous dunk off an alley-oop from Booker.
After the game, Booker reflected on the team’s journey and mindset: “We’ve always had our team talks. We talk on and off the court. The vibes are always high. I always take it back to the beginning of the season, when we started off 1-4. We were still coming in with the mindset to get better. Then we ran off a few games, and we’ve been in every other game since then. So now we’ve got to string some together. We’re about to hit the road. It’s going to be just us, and we’re looking forward to it.”
Collin Gillespie, who contributed a crucial 15-foot jumper in the closing minutes, helped the Suns ice the game with a five-point burst in just 35 seconds. The Pelicans managed to cut the lead to 107-106 on a Williamson layup with 1:51 left, but Phoenix never wavered. Their defense, which has been among the league’s best in generating steals (an NBA-leading 11.0 per game heading into the night), created transition opportunities and prevented New Orleans from setting up its pressure-heavy half-court defense.
Despite shooting just 5-of-24 from beyond the arc, the Suns found ways to manufacture points—whether through second-chance efforts, fast-break opportunities, or timely free throws. The victory improved Phoenix’s record to 17-13, signaling that this group is finding its stride at the right time. For fans, it was a reassuring performance: not flashy, not dominant, but filled with the kind of resilience and real-time problem-solving that bodes well for the challenges ahead.
On the other side, the Pelicans will rue their missed free throws and missed opportunity to seize control late. Still, with Williamson, Poole, and Murphy III all delivering solid performances, New Orleans remains a dangerous opponent, especially as they look to regroup for the rematch scheduled for Saturday night at the same venue.
Looking ahead, the Suns’ road trip continues, and they’ll hope to build on this hard-fought win. The victory not only adds to their win column but also reinforces the team’s growing identity—one built on toughness, adaptability, and collective effort. As Booker put it, “We always have room to grow. It’s a first-year team together. We’ve been in a lot of dog fights this year. We’ve come back from down 20 and we’ve given up 20-point leads. That’s our motto, get better every day.”
With another matchup against the Pelicans looming and the season heating up, the Suns have proven they can weather adversity and come out on top. Friday night in New Orleans, they showed exactly why they’re a team to watch as the NBA campaign rolls on.
