Suns Desperate for Wins as They Host Pelicans in Key Play-In Battle

The Phoenix Suns have been talking about making a serious postseason push, but with just 24 games left in the regular season, time is running out. They currently sit outside of the Western Conference play-in race and face a crucial two-game home set against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday and Friday.

With the Sacramento Kings holding the final play-in spot, Phoenix entered Wednesday’s games 2.5 games behind 10th place. A pair of wins against New Orleans could help close the gap, but anything less would make the Suns’ playoff chances even more difficult.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans may be far from the top of the West, but they’ve won three of their last four games, including two straight against the San Antonio Spurs. Their recent play suggests they won’t be an easy opponent for a struggling Suns team.

Suns Struggling to Convert Talent into Wins

The Suns have a star-studded lineup, but results have not matched expectations. They are just 2-9 in February and ended a 1-4 road trip with a heartbreaking 151-148 overtime loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday.

In that game, Phoenix had several chances to secure the win but faltered in the final moments. Ja Morant forced overtime with 1.9 seconds left, and the Suns blew a four-point lead in OT as Memphis scored the game’s final seven points.

Head coach Mike Budenholzer was frustrated but saw some positives.

“We weren’t able to close it out. Credit to them. The guys fought. A lot of good stuff.”

That “good stuff” included an impressive offensive display from Phoenix, as five players scored at least 20 points in the same game for the first time since 1990.

Devin Booker: 28 points, 10 assists
Kevin Durant: 26 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists
Bradley Beal: 24 points, 11 assists
Bol Bol: 23 points, 8 rebounds
Grayson Allen: 21 points, 6 three-pointers

Despite the big numbers, Booker couldn’t hide his disappointment after another missed opportunity.

“I still think we had opportunities to win the game. Makes it hurt that much worse.”

The Suns have the offensive firepower to compete with anyone, but their inability to close games has been a recurring issue all season. If they can’t find a way to execute in crunch time, their playoff hopes could fade quickly.

Pelicans Playing Confidently Despite Early-Game Struggles

New Orleans enters this matchup with some momentum, having won three of their last four. Their latest victories came in a two-game home sweep of the San Antonio Spurs, where they showed resilience by overcoming large deficits in both games.

Sunday: Trailed by 17 points, won 114-96
Tuesday: Trailed by 19 points, won 109-103

Head coach Willie Green is happy with the results but knows his team must start games better.

“We want to get off to better starts but we’ll take the two wins for sure.”

One of the biggest positives for the Pelicans has been the impact of Kelly Olynyk, who was acquired from the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline. In his first two games, he has contributed 20 points and 27 rebounds, helping New Orleans win the rebounding battle—something they had struggled with before his arrival.

“We like the big lineup so far,” Green said. “After many games of not being able to win the rebounding margin, we’re winning that and it’s giving us extra possessions.”

However, Olynyk will not play on Thursday, as the team plans to rest him for the first game of the back-to-back set.

Trey Murphy III and Zion Williamson have also been stepping up for the Pelicans.

Murphy III scored a game-high 24 points on Tuesday
Williamson had 18 points against San Antonio and 22 in the previous matchup

Murphy credited the team’s second-half comebacks to improved defense and transition play.

“We got stops and got into transition. We changed the energy and the pace of the game.”

Previous Matchup: Pelicans Edge Suns in a Thriller

The last time these teams met, it was a tightly contested battle. New Orleans won 126-124 on Dec. 5, with Brandon Ingram (29 points) and CJ McCollum (25 points) leading the way.

Phoenix had Booker (28 points) and Beal (24 points) in that game but played without Kevin Durant. With KD now in the lineup, the Suns will look to even the season series.

Keys to the Game

For Phoenix, the biggest priority is closing out games. The Suns have talent but struggle in late-game situations. They also need to limit turnovers and play more disciplined defense to avoid giving New Orleans extra possessions.

For New Orleans, early-game focus is key. The Pelicans have been falling behind big before making comebacks. Against a Suns team desperate for a win, a slow start could put them in a tough position.

What’s at Stake?

For Phoenix, this is a must-win game if they want to stay in the playoff hunt. With only 24 games left, every win matters, and dropping both games against the Pelicans would push them further from contention.

For New Orleans, another win would keep their recent momentum going and further solidify their identity as a tough, gritty team that can compete with anyone.

With two games in two nights between these teams, the intensity will be high. The Suns need to turn their talk into results, while the Pelicans will look to extend their recent success. The battle for the play-in spot begins Thursday night in Phoenix.

Phoenix-suns vs New Orleans Pelicans Picks and Predictions February 27th 2025