On February 28, 2025, the Phoenix Suns defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 125-108 at the Footprint Center, snapping their three-game losing streak with an impressive display of offensive prowess.
The standout performer for the Suns was Bol Bol, who scored 25 points, just one shy of his career high. He shot 9-of-12 from the field and nailed 5-of-8 from three-point range, marking his efficient and explosive performance. Coach Monty Williams praised Bol's contributions, noting, "The Suns never trailed and snapped their three-game skid Friday night," highlighting the importance of the victory for the struggling team.
Alongside Bol, Nick Richards also had a strong showing, contributing 19 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, showcasing his dominance down low against the Pelicans. Veteran stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant each added 17 points, with Booker also dishing out nine assists, emphasizing the team’s well-rounded offensive effort.
The game marked the second contest between the two teams within 24 hours, following the Pelicans' 124-116 victory the previous evening. During their previous encounter, Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 27 points, but he and fellow star CJ McCollum were held out of Friday's game to prioritize rest as they recover from injuries.
Despite the absence of their star players, the Pelicans fought valiantly, with rookie Yves Missi and Jordan Hawkins each netting 24 points. The Suns, playing without Bradley Beal due to left calf tightness, looked to redeem themselves after the earlier defeat. They opened the game with urgency, quickly establishing control with a remarkable first-quarter performance.
The Suns exploded for 40 points in the first quarter, their highest first-quarter total this season, shooting at an astounding 72.4%. Bol scored ten of the Suns’ first twenty points as Phoenix jumped out to a leading score of 40-18 by the end of the quarter.
Throughout the game, the Suns displayed remarkable teamwork, recording 35 assists on 47 made shots. Head coach Williams noted how important it was to maintain ball movement: "The guys shared the ball really well tonight, and it showed on the scoreboard. This is how we need to play moving forward."
From the outset, the Suns never trailed, showcasing their tactical superiority and execution. Even with the Pelicans fighting back with a strong performance, culminating with 38 points scored in the fourth quarter, the Suns had built such an overwhelming lead early on, rendering the comeback attempts moot.
"Bol Bol is the first center in franchise history with 25+ PTS, 75+ FG% and 5+ 3P in a game", reported StatMuse, solidifying his historic performance and showing just how pivotal he has become for the Suns. Over the last three games, Bol has averaged 21.0 points, showcasing significant development this season.
After this decisive win, the Suns improved to 28-32, putting them at the 11th position in the Western Conference, hoping to make strides as the season continues. They are now preparing to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday evening, where another strong performance will be necessary to keep the momentum going.
The defeat left the Pelicans with a record of 16-44, struggling to find consistency amid significant injury woes. Both teams now face the challenges of maintaining their rosters’ health and performance as they advance through the season. With the Suns regaining confidence from this win, it remains to be seen how they will perform against the Timberwolves this Sunday.