Suns Hold Off Pelicans in Thrilling 118-116 Victory
PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 118-116 in a tightly contested game on Friday night, March 6, 2026. Devin Booker led the Suns with 32 points, including a crucial 18-point performance in the third quarter, while Jalen Green added 25 points.
Booker’s Dominant Third Quarter Fuels Suns
Devin Booker’s explosive third quarter proved pivotal for the Suns, helping them build and maintain a lead despite a late rally from the Pelicans. The Suns led by as many as 14 points in the second half before New Orleans narrowed the gap to just one point.
Close Finish and Key Free Throws
The game came down to the wire, with Grayson Allen sinking two clutch free throws with 9.8 seconds remaining to give Phoenix a 116-113 advantage. Zion Williamson responded with one of two free throws, but Booker sealed the victory with a pair of his own with 7.8 seconds left. A late basket by Herb Jones with 5 seconds remaining proved insufficient for the Pelicans.
Pelicans’ Strong Performance Despite Loss
Trey Murphy III led the Pelicans in scoring with 22 points. Zion Williamson contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Saddiq Bey as well added 19 points for New Orleans. Oso Ighodaro, filling in for the injured Mark Williams, had 13 points and 6 rebounds before fouling out.
Injury Concerns and Off-Court Issues for Phoenix
The Suns were without starters Mark Williams (left foot fracture) and Dillon Brooks (left hand fracture). Adding to the team’s challenges, Dillon Brooks was arrested in Scottsdale, Arizona, earlier on Friday for suspicion of driving under the influence, according to ESPN. He was later released and attended the game, sitting on the bench.
Upcoming Schedule
The New Orleans Pelicans will host the Washington Wizards on Sunday, while the Phoenix Suns will face the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night.
Game Statistics
New Orleans Pelicans: 116 points
Phoenix Suns: 118 points
Leading Scorers:
- Devin Booker (Suns): 32 points
- Jalen Green (Suns): 25 points
- Trey Murphy III (Pelicans): 22 points
- Zion Williamson (Pelicans): 19 points, 10 rebounds
- Saddiq Bey (Pelicans): 19 points