The New Orleans Pelicans just walked out with a famous victory in Phoenix, as the eighth seed stole home-court advantage from the #1 seed in a sensational Game 2 matchup. The Pelicans were led by a monster effort from Brandon Ingram, who had 37 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists on the night.
The Pelicans had no answer for Devin Booker in the first half of the game but they went on a run in the third quarter just as Booker hurt his hamstring. The Pelicans were already in the lead at that point and put their foot on the neck of the Suns and closed it out in the fourth quarter behind some brilliant shot-making from everyone on the team.
If there was one series everyone thought would be a sweep, it was this one. But the Pelicans’ victory has pleasantly surprised a lot of people, as NBA fans flocked to Twitter to talk about what they just saw from the Pels.
Series tied 1-1.
Brandon Ingram: 37/11/9
CJ McCollum: 23/8/9
They combined for 15 points on 5-7 shooting in the last 5 minutes tonight. pic.twitter.com/vrF19BsOaV
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 20, 2022
I mean this is just unconscious shit from the Pelicans down the stretch here
— Jason Patt (@Bulls_Jay) April 20, 2022
B.Ingram is cold, cold..
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) April 20, 2022
Man, the Pelicans look *great.*
— Dan Devine (@YourManDevine) April 20, 2022
https://twitter.com/WestGoat/status/1516634247414616068
BI got too much sauce
— Jake (@SuperiorNBA) April 20, 2022
Pelicans deserve a ton of credit, the Suns have dominated fourth quarters this season and NOP is going shot for shot with them
— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) April 20, 2022
BRANDON INGRAM IS HIM!!!!!!!!
— LegendOfWinning (@LegendOfWinning) April 20, 2022
Brandon Ingram is just a badass
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) April 20, 2022
Willie Green is so damn good at coaching the New Orleans Pelicans.
Different team since CJ McCollum arrived.
— Landon Thomas (@sixfivelando) April 20, 2022
The Pelicans won’t be favorites to pull off a historic upset of the first seed in the first round, but a win like this goes a long way in proving the winning mentality the team has built. Considering the number of young players on the roster, this will be a phenomenal experience for them going forward.
Everyone knows that beating the Phoenix Suns this season has been almost impossible, so the Pelicans achieving this in a playoff game shouldn’t be scoffed at. With Booker being out, they will have to be extra alert in Game 3 to make sure they don’t lose a game in the Bayou.
This is what playoff basketball is all about. The Pelicans fought from the start to finish and managed to outwork the Suns. Even when Phoenix was in control of the game, the Pelicans kept staying close and then pounced in the third quarter. Great win for a great team.
