On April 2, Beijing time, the NBA regular season was rekindled, and the battle between the Suns and Pelicans became the focus of the West. Before the game, the Suns were eighth in the West with a 43-31 record, while the Pelicans were firmly in sixth place in the West with a 45-29 record. For both sides, this game is about the ranking of the playoffs, so the intensity of the game is self-evident.
At the beginning of the game, Booker showed a hot hand, hitting frequent outside three-pointers, and Durant was not to be outdone, two unreasonable three-pointers made the Pelicans' defense falter. Although Murphy and McCollum tried to respond with firepower, Booker and Durant's blossoming inside and outside gave the Suns a 46-28 lead in the first quarter. Booker scored 24 points in a single quarter and dished out four assists, becoming the absolute core of the Suns' offensive end.
Heading into the second quarter, Beal and Durant continued to play on the outside, while the Pelicans relied on Nance and Daniels to struggle with their singles. Booker exerted his strength again, and several singles successfully widened the difference to more than 20 points. Although the Pelicans hit a small surge late in the quarter, the Suns still led 74-54 at halftime. Booker scored 37 points in the half, Durant also scored 16 points, while on the Pelicans' side, Zion and Murphy had relatively lackluster performances.
The Suns continued to extend their gains in the third quarter, and Nurkic and Booker's three-pointers nearly collapsed the Pelicans' defense. However, the Pelicans didn't give up, and McCollum and Zion's turn-overs rekindled the suspense. At the end of the third quarter, the Suns led 103-90, but the Pelicans' stubborn counterattack made the game uncertain.
Heading into the crucial fourth quarter, Durant and Nurkic scored back-to-back points in an attempt to seal the win for the Suns. However, the Pelicans didn't give up there, and Zion's strong performance under the basket left Beal and Gordon unguarded. At the decisive moment, Zion even trained Durant successfully, and McCollum's key three points narrowed the gap to 7 points. However, back-to-back layups by Booker and Beal helped the Suns stabilize their ground, and in the end, the Suns defeated the Pelicans 124-111.
After this game, the Suns moved up to seventh in the West, just one win away from the sixth-place Pelicans. The Pelicans' loss allowed the Timberwolves, who are third in the West, to officially lock up a playoff spot. Booker's outstanding performance was undoubtedly the key to the Suns' victory, as he scored high points throughout the game and steadied the team in key moments on several occasions. Although the Pelicans lost, the performances of Zion and McCollum and others also showed their potential and fighting spirit.
This game is not only a contest about qualifying, but also a feast to show the strength and fighting spirit of the players. Booker's excellent play, Durant's consistent output, and the tenacious struggle of the Pelicans have brought fans an unforgettable visual feast. As the game deepens, the situation in the Western Conference playoffs is becoming more and more confusing, and we will wait and see who will come out on top!