Beijing time on April 20. The Western Conference playoff Suns' game against the Pelicans kicked off. In the end, the Pelicans won 125-114 on the road with the strong play of Ingram and CJ McCollum, pulling the series score to a 1-1 draw.
Both sides almost maintained a scorching state of you and me. In the first half, Suns star Devin Booker felt hot, shooting 12-of-18 at halftime, hitting 7 three-pointers to score 31 points, and the Suns led by five points into the second half. In the third quarter Booker's hamstring injury missed the game, Ingram and CJ McCollum became the Pelicans' mainstay, and at the end of the fourth quarter, the two scored consecutive points to help the team win. Ingram had 37 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists, McCollum had 23 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, Booker had 31 points, Paul had 17 points and 14 assists, and Bridges had 19 points, six rebounds and two assists.
Before the game, many people thought that the Suns would win easily and get a 2-0 score. However, the Pelicans were full of morale and vitality in this battle, and the five of them were all soldiers. The performances of ingram and McCollum are undoubtedly an important reason for the Pelicans' victory. Ingram showed his leadership qualities in this game. Not only do you score consecutive points at key moments to stabilize the situation, but you also communicate and stabilize your mentality in time when your teammates complain with the referee.
Commentator Perkins tweeted: "I have to say that I was impressed by ingram tonight, I know he's in good numbers, with 37 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists, but what I care more about is that the young man looks calm and is completely ready." What's more, he is now a true leader! ”
Booker's performance in the first half was superb, but injuries in the second half made his efforts in vain. It is unclear how serious Booker's hamstring injury was, and his absence was a fatal blow to the Suns. Heading to the Pelicans' home stadium, if Booker misses multiple games, the Suns are likely to be in crisis under the Pelicans' onslaught.