The No. 8 New Orleans Pelicans finished on a 28-16 run to take down the No. 1 Phoenix Suns 125-114 Tuesday night in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
After Devin Booker scored 31 points in the first half (and fist-bumped a baby), he exited in the third quarter with right hamstring tightness that has his status for the rest of the series in question. The Pelicans took advantage of Booker’s absence by outscoring the Suns 69-53 in the second half.
Brandon Ingram led the way for New Orleans with 37 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. CJ McCollum added 23 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds for the Pelicans.
So, the Pelicans split the first two games on the road, and now the series heads back to New Orleans. And if Booker is out, this series all of a sudden becomes quite winnable for the Pelicans.
The NBA world has had a lot to say about the game.
Charles Barkley: The Pelicans are going to get swept by the Suns.
Brandon Ingram: pic.twitter.com/OaDsWOXw6p
— Bally Sports New Orleans (@BallySportsNO) April 20, 2022
“What the f*** are we here for? Ain’t nobody rolling over,” Pelicans forward Larry Nance, Jr., belted while heading to the winning locker room. pic.twitter.com/GlSbJeqKaT
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) April 20, 2022
Reminder that the Pelicans were winning 77-74 when Booker checked out late in the 3rd. Pels went toe-to-toe with the Suns all night, regardless of who was in the game.
Won't Bow Down.
— Mason Ginsberg (@MasonGinsberg) April 20, 2022
There goes Devin Booker with another hamstring pull, just like in the Finals last year. Here come the 8 seed Pelicans with the next great coach, Willie Green.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 20, 2022
Series tied 1-1.
Brandon Ingram: 37/11/9
CJ McCollum: 23/8/9They combined for 15 points on 5-7 shooting in the last 5 minutes tonight. pic.twitter.com/vrF19BsOaV
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 20, 2022
Chris Paul has lost 14 straight playoff games officiated by Scott Foster. pic.twitter.com/cIMcDwMkAU
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 20, 2022
these pelicans are very easy to root for
— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) April 20, 2022