Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans: Did the Valley’s 3-point volume and second-chance points decide it at Mortgage Matchup Center?

The Phoenix Suns moved to 36-27 after a 118-116 result over the New Orleans Pelicans, who entered at 20-45, at 9:00 PM EDT at Mortgage Matchup Center. Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans final score landed at 118-116 as the Suns finished with 27 assists and 15 turnovers while the Pels posted 18 assists and 15 turnovers.

First quarter

The Suns scored 26 in the opening quarter while the Pelicans put up 29 as New Orleans hit 45 percent from the field on 83 attempts in the game. Phoenix recorded 9 steals and 6 blocks in the game, and those defensive plays helped keep the margin within 3 after 1 quarter.

Second quarter

The Suns produced a 32-point second quarter as Phoenix built the edge with 58 three-point attempts and 20 makes for 34 percent. Devin Booker’s 32 points from the previous game set the scoring tone for the Valley’s backcourt role, and Phoenix’s 26 free-throw attempts showed an active rim-and-kick approach against New Orleans’ 24 total fouls.

Third quarter

Phoenix won the third quarter 34-29, and the Suns’ 29 second-chance points came off 15 offensive rebounds and 15 second-chance attempts. The Pelicans stayed attached behind 54 points in the paint and 16 offensive rebounds, which created 24 second-chance points and kept lead changes in play.

Fourth quarter

The Pelicans closed with 35 points in the fourth quarter while Phoenix scored 26, and New Orleans leaned on 37 free-throw attempts with 32 makes for 86 percent. The Suns’ biggest lead reached 14 and Phoenix led for 39:59 of game time, and the Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans key moments included the Valley matching New Orleans’ 55 total rebounds with 56 to finish the possession battle.

Postgame notes

The Suns logged 25 bench points while the Pelicans had 27, and Phoenix also generated 23 points off turnovers compared with New Orleans’ 29. A post-game report Phoenix Suns detail was the 62 percent two-point shooting on 32 attempts, and what went wrong for Phoenix Suns showed up at the line with 69 percent on 26 free throws as the margin tightened late.

Phoenix returns home for a game against the Charlotte Hornets at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on 3/8/2026 at 10:00 PM EDT, with the broadcast listed on Peacock. Run it back for more game recap coverage, and share this article with other Suns fans.