Suns @ Pelicans Takeaways (Saturday Game)
Chrissy Smith • December 29, 2025
Team Stats
(Suns @ Pelicans)
Final Score: 123-114
Rebounds: 55-43
Assists: 26-16
Blocks: 3-7
Steals: 7-11
Turnovers: 16-13
Stat Leaders
(Suns/Pelicans)
Scoring Leaders: Devin Booker, 20; Trey Murphy III, 24
Rebound Leaders: Oso Ighodaro, 10; Derik Queen, 11
Assist Leaders: Collin Gillepsie, 7; Derik Queen/Jordan Poole/Jose Alvarado, 6
My Player of the Game: Jose Alvaredo
Takeaways
- The Pelicans dropped the second game in a row to the Phoenix Suns, even though they kept Devin Booker to just 20 points.
- The game got chippy in the third quarter after New Orleans went on a 12-2 run to cut the deficit to 73-71. Following a whistle, Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado and Phoenix center Mark Williams exchanged punches. Both were ejected, and further suspensions are expected.
- Trey Murphy III had 24 points for the Pelicans, and Zion Williamson scored 22 off the bench on 8-of-11 shooting. Rookie center Derik Queen had 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Jeremiah Fears scored 18 and Saddiq Bey finished with 17..
Follow The Kneaux on X, and follow me there too @SportsChrissy.
A quick share helps us a lot!
An exciting rookie QB battle.
Team Stats (Suns @ Pelicans) Final Score: 115-108 Rebounds: 52-38 Assists: 26-22 Blocks: 4-2 Steals: 9-10 Turnovers: 17-12 Stat Leaders (Suns/Pelicans) Scoring Leaders: Devin Booker, 30; Zion Williamson, 20 Rebound Leaders: Mark Williams, 13; Zion Williamson, 8 Assist Leaders: Collin Gillepsie, 9; Zion Williamson/Jordan Poole, 6 My Player of the Game: Zion Williamson Takeaways The Pelicans missed 17 free throws on the night, which was the nail in the coffin in a game they could have won. The Pelicans were up 100-97 after Zion Williamson hit a free throw with 4:58 left in the game, but the Suns closed out New Orleans by outscoring the Pelicans 18-8 the rest of the game. The Pelicans missed seven free throws in the third quarter, but still managed to be down only one point, 81-80, heading into the fourth quarter. Jordan Poole scored 19 points in the game but had some critical turnovers, and missed the most free throws on the night. The Pelicans will take on the Suns again tonight at 6 pm at the Smoothie King Center. Follow The Kneaux on X , and follow me there too @SportsChrissy.