Zion Williamson put on a show Thursday night in Phoenix, reminding everyone why he was the No. 1 overall pick in 2019. Williamson recorded his first career triple-double with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, leading the New Orleans Pelicans to a 124-116 victory over the Suns. It was the ultimate Zion performance, filled with strong finishes through contact, relentless rebounding, and some incredible court vision. His 12-point fourth-quarter surge sealed the win, as the Suns were hapless in trying to contain his unique combination of physicality and athleticism.
Even down to a “svelte” 264 pounds, Williamson played like an unstoppable force, flexing and roaring after multiple and-one buckets. His dominance on the glass and in the paint overwhelmed Phoenix, whose defensive breakdowns repeatedly allowed Zion to exploit space and finish at the rim. Even Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer admitted, “He’s just a force.”
Pelicans Continue to Haunt Phoenix
Devin Booker (game-high 36 points, nine assists) and Kevin Durant (28 points) did their best to keep the Suns in the game, but New Orleans had a response for every punch thrown its way. It was the Pelicans’ third straight win over Phoenix dating back to last season, as they took the upper hand in this rivalry that dates back to the 2022 playoffs. The Suns, now losers of three straight overall, find themselves slipping further in the Western Conference standings.
Zion Ruled Out for Friday’s Rematch
Who Steps Up for New Orleans?
As impressive as Williamson’s performance was, Pelicans fans won’t get an encore in Friday’s rematch. Zion is out for the second leg of the back-to-back due to injury management. Williamson has played in just 21 of the Pelicans’ 59 games this season, mostly due to recurring hamstring issues, and the team remains cautious regarding his long-term health. On multiple occasions Williamson has expressed his frustration with that approach, but told the media he’s going with what the team’s medical staff and front office recommend, “If I can play in back-to-backs, I would. Physically, yes, I can. But I work for the Pelicans, and they’ve decided it’s not smart right now. So I’m rocking with them on that.”
With Williamson and CJ McCollum sidelined, the Pelicans will turn to Trey Murphy III and Karlo Matkovic to help fill the offensive void. Murphy is averaging 17.7 shot attempts in February and knocked down five three-pointers in Thursday’s win. Matkovic also emerged as a key contributor, notching his first NBA double-double in Phoenix while hitting a career-high three three-pointers. If New Orleans wants to complete the season sweep, both will need to step up in a big way.
Suns in Desperation Mode
While the Pelicans are rolling, the Suns are in desperation mode. Phoenix has slipped to 27-32, sitting 11th in the Western Conference and 3.5 games behind the final play-in spot. Their defense has been let them down, with the Suns allowing 126.6 points per game over their last 10 contests. Booker and Durant continue to put up big numbers, but they’ll need more from their supporting cast. Tyus Jones, who had 15 points and 12 assists on Thursday, has been solid, but Phoenix will need increased production from the rest of its role players like Bol Bol.
The Suns are desperate for a win, and with the Pelicans missing their best player, Phoenix has no excuses. If they fail to capitalize on this opportunity, their postseason hopes will take another major hit. Meanwhile, New Orleans will look to continue to embrace the role of spoiler, as they have in their recent stretch of games against play-in hopefuls.
Most Recent Starting Lineups
| Phoenix Suns | New Orleans Pelicans |
| G – Tyus Jones | G – CJ McCollum |
| G – Devin Booker | G – Trey Murphy |
| F – Kevin Durant | F – Zion Williamson |
| F – Bol Bol | F – Karlo Matkovic |
| C – Nick Richards | C – Yves Missi |
Injuries
Phoenix Suns: Bradley Beal (calf) and Monte Morris (back) are QUESTIONABLE. Cody Martin (abdomen) is OUT.
New Orleans Pelicans: Brandon Boston (left ankle sprain), Herb Jones (right shoulder torn rotator cuff), CJ McCollum (rest), Dejounte Murray (right Achilles rupture), and Zion Williamson (return to play reconditioning) are OUT.
Who: New Orleans Pelicans (16-43) vs Phoenix Suns (27-32)
Season Series:
- Dec. 5: Pelicans def. Suns, 126-124
- Feb. 27: Pelicans def. Suns, 124-116
- Feb. 28: Pelicans at Suns
Series History: The New Orleans Pelicans are 37-40 all-time against the Phoenix Suns and have won three in a row in the series.
Where: Footprint Arena
When: Feb. 28, 8:00 PM CST
Where to watch: Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network
Where to listen: WWL Radio 870 AM
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