Zion Williamson, Pelicans defeat Suns for first time

Field Level Media|published: Sun 7th April, 20:54 2024

Apr 7, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward-center Larry Nance Jr. (22) dunks over Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (20) during the first half at Footprint Center. credits: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

Zion Williamson had 29 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists and the visiting New Orleans Pelicans ended a four-game losing streak by beating the Phoenix Suns 113-105 on Sunday.

Williamson was returning from a one-game absence due to a finger contusion as the Pelicans (46-32) won for just the second time in their last seven games. CJ McCollum scored a team-high 31 points, followed by 15 from Jose Alvarado, who was returning from a five-game absence due to an oblique strain. Trey Murphy III had 13 points and Dyson Daniels 10.

Bradley Beal scored 33 points to lead the Suns. Devin Booker had 25 points and seven assists, Kevin Durant added 23 points and Grayson Allen had 11 for sixth-place Phoenix (46-32), which saw its three-game winning streak end but remained ahead of New Orleans because it won the season series 2-1.

McCollum made a 3-pointer and assisted on Larry Nance Jr.'s three-point play to start the third-quarter scoring and give New Orleans a 62-50 lead.

Booker converted a three-point play for the Suns' first points of the quarter, and he later made two free throws to pull them within 77-75. They got within two a second time before Williamson scored six points to help the Pelicans build a 90-83 lead at the end of the period.

Alvarado made a 3-pointer to start the fourth-quarter scoring, before Beal scored Phoenix's first 13 points of the period and gave Phoenix a 96-95 lead with 7:50 left in the game. Williamson made four baskets to help New Orleans regain a six-point lead.

The Suns got within four, but Williamson scored on a drive for 111-105 lead with 29 seconds left.

The Pelicans made just four field goals during the first nine-plus minutes as the Suns opened a 20-8 lead. McCollum had eight points and an assist and New Orleans trimmed the lead to 26-19 at the end of the first quarter.

Murphy scored five points during a 10-0 run that pulled the Pelicans even at 36 early in the second quarter. McCollum scored eight points and Alvarado made two 3-pointers to help the Pelicans open a 56-50 halftime lead.

—Field Level Media

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