The Pelicans are once again challenging the sun
Ingram's first playoff trip, although there is no Zion Williams around, but mcCollum's arrival has provided this team with great help, and Valanciunas, his dominance on the inside, is still a nightmare for opponents, even if this team is the first phoenix sun in the league. In the first game of the series between the two teams, the Pelicans almost completed a reversal in the final quarter, and if it were not for Chris Paul's miraculous 17 consecutive points, it would probably be another result.
Although the Pelicans are not strong, the playoff stage, even the Phoenix Suns can not have the slightest carelessness. As the number one team in the West, you can't let 36-year-old Chris Paul turn the tide every game. To win, the Suns still need 15 wins, but each one won't be too easy.
Booker suffered a hamstring injury
At the beginning of the first quarter, Booker carried the team, shooting 6 of 10, 4 of 6 three-pointers, and got 16 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist, which was simply unstoppable. However, Paul did not score a single point, Ayton only had 4 points and 3 rebounds, the Suns only scored 28 points, and the Pelicans bombed 30 points, including Ingram with 11 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists, and McCollum with 7 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist. After returning from the second quarter, Booker rested off the court, the Pelicans began to exert their strength, and McCollum and Nance Jr. teamed up to score 13 points to help the team complete the rebound.
But who would have thought that after Booker re-emerged, the feel was still hot, 6 of 8 shooting, 4 of 3 three-pointers, 15 points and 1 rebound, and hit a three-pointer from the ultra-long pressure whistle, leading the Suns to lead the Pelicans by 5 points 61-56. Booker scored 31 points in the first half, but the Suns only led by five points. In the second half, Booker only had one shot in the quarter, not a single point, and although Paul had 7 points, 2 assists and 1 steal, the Suns only scored 22 points. The Pelicans seized the opportunity, and Ingram scored 12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks, successfully surpassing 7 points.
After returning from the last quarter, the Suns had a 7-2 mini-climax that narrowed the gap to two points, Alvarado hit a three-pointer, Paul assisted McGee's aerial relay, Bridges and Johnson slammed back-and-forth, and the Suns managed to overtake by one point. However, the Suns coach said in an interview that Booker may suffer a hamstring injury and will not return to this game. In such a situation, Paul struggled to support the team, but the thief Alva's three-pointer felt hot, Ingram bombed 12 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist, and the key ball was not soft.
The Suns did their best without Booker, but in the end, the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Phoenix Suns 125-114 to tie the score to 1-1. Perhaps more concerned with Devin Booker's injury than with a loss.
Ingram quasi-triple-double
Booker's injury departure was undoubtedly a fatal blow for the Suns, after all, he exploded for 31 points in the first half. For the Suns, their only hope is that Booker will return sooner rather than later. Paul didn't have the magic of the last game, shooting 5-of-16, with 17 points, 1 rebound and 14 assists, without a single turnover. Bridges also had 19 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists on 7-of-11 shooting, Ayton had 10 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists, Cameron Johnson on the bench had 11 points and 4 rebounds, and McGee had 10 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist.
The Pelicans' success in pulling back a city, and still at home for the Suns, won a victory, which is undoubtedly a great boost to their confidence in winning the series. Ingram carried the team, shooting 13-of-21 from the field for a quasi-triple-double of 37 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists, McCollum also had 23 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists, Jones had 14 points and 3 assists, Varan 10 points, 13 rebounds and 3 assists, Nance Jr. 13 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists, Murphy hit 3 three-pointers and got 9 points and 3 steals, and Alvarado also had 8 points and 3 assists, all from the final quarter.