In a tightly contested Friday night matchup at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, the Phoenix Suns came away with a 118-116 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, holding on through a spirited fourth-quarter push from their guests. Devin Booker delivered a masterful performance to keep the Suns in control for most of the evening, but New Orleans made things genuinely uncomfortable down the stretch before Phoenix ultimately preserved the win.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
Q1: Pelicans Take Early Control — New Orleans 29, Phoenix 26
New Orleans came out with purpose in the opening period, outpacing the Suns 29-26 to establish an early three-point lead. The Pelicans moved the ball with efficiency and found their rhythm quickly, setting a physical tone that put Phoenix on its heels from the opening tip.
Q2: Suns Respond and Take the Lead — New Orleans 23, Phoenix 32
Phoenix responded decisively in the second quarter, outscoring the Pelicans 32-23 to flip a three-point deficit into a six-point halftime advantage. The Suns’ offense found its footing, with Booker and Grayson Allen helping facilitate ball movement that generated quality looks. Phoenix took a 58-52 lead into the break.
Q3: Suns Stay in Control — New Orleans 29, Phoenix 34
The third quarter continued in Phoenix’s favor as the Suns outscored New Orleans 34-29, pushing their lead to double digits at various points. Phoenix’s half-court execution was sharp, and the defense made the Pelicans work on nearly every possession. Heading into the final frame, the Suns led 92-81 and appeared well-positioned to close things out comfortably.
Q4: Pelicans Rally But Fall Short — New Orleans 35, Phoenix 26
New Orleans delivered its strongest quarter of the game in the fourth, outscoring Phoenix 35-26 to make it a genuine contest in the final minutes. The Pelicans converted trips to the free-throw line at an 86.5% rate for the game and clearly attacked the basket with urgency late. However, Phoenix held on through the final possession, coming away with the two-point decision — 118-116.
Key Performers
Devin Booker — Phoenix Suns
Booker was the evening’s standout performer, leading all scorers with 32 points and posting a game-high efficiency rating. His ability to create his own shot and operate in pick-and-roll situations kept Phoenix’s offense functional even as New Orleans tightened the margin late. Booker’s performance was the defining factor in Phoenix’s ability to hold off the Pelicans’ fourth-quarter charge.
Grayson Allen — Phoenix Suns
Allen quietly put together a strong all-around night, leading all players with 8 assists. His playmaking from the guard spot gave Phoenix a reliable secondary creator and helped keep the offense flowing throughout the game.
Oso Ighodaro — Phoenix Suns
The young forward led Phoenix with 6 rebounds, providing a reliable interior presence. Ighodaro’s activity on the glass gave the Suns second opportunities and helped limit New Orleans’ own offensive rebounding chances.
Trey Murphy III — New Orleans Pelicans
Murphy III was New Orleans’ most productive offensive player on the night, leading the Pelicans with 22 points and earning the team’s top efficiency rating. His scoring kept the Pelicans competitive, particularly down the stretch as they mounted their fourth-quarter run.
Zion Williamson — New Orleans Pelicans
Williamson was a force on the boards, leading New Orleans with 10 rebounds to record a double-figure rebound total for the evening. His physical presence inside gave the Pelicans a consistent source of second-chance opportunities.
Dejounte Murray — New Orleans Pelicans
Murray led New Orleans with 5 assists, serving as the primary facilitator for the Pelicans’ offense throughout the game. His ability to get others involved helped keep New Orleans functional even when outside shooting was inconsistent.
Game Analysis
This game ultimately came down to how each team managed different stretches of the contest. Phoenix took control in the second and third quarters, building a lead on the strength of its three-point volume — the Suns attempted an extraordinary 58 three-pointers, converting 20 of them (34.5%). That approach kept the scoreboard moving but also introduced some inconsistency, and when Phoenix went cold in the fourth, New Orleans found the path back into the game.
The Pelicans’ formula was different: New Orleans attempted just 28 threes and instead drew 37 free throw attempts, converting 32 of them. That attacking style generated consistent points late and was the engine behind the fourth-quarter surge. Had New Orleans been able to sustain that approach for longer stretches, the outcome might have been different.
On the boards, the teams were nearly even — New Orleans with 42 rebounds to Phoenix’s 41 — but the Suns made up for it with 27 assists compared to just 17 for the Pelicans, reflecting a significant gap in ball movement and overall offensive cohesion across the full 48 minutes.
Standings and Series Implications
With the victory, the Phoenix Suns improve to 36-27 on the season, maintaining a strong position in the Western Conference standings as the playoff push intensifies. Their home record now stands at 21-13, underscoring Mortgage Matchup Center as a genuine advantage late in the year. For the New Orleans Pelicans, the loss drops them to 20-45 — a difficult ledger that reflects a challenging 2025-26 campaign. Despite the fourth-quarter effort showing some late-season resolve, the gap between these two rosters remains clear. Phoenix will look to build on this result as the regular season winds toward its conclusion.
