Pelicans

The Phoenix Suns lost their fourth straight game, falling Sunday in overtime at New Orleans as Devin Booker was out with left hamstring tightness.

Teams that live in the paint tend to get to the line more. It really is a testimony to the work and us coming together putting the pieces together to show everyone.” Can New Orleans continue to play at that level is the ongoing challenge. Doesn’t go coast-to-coast like Antetokounmpo, but Williamson is hell in the open court. The Suns are 1-5 in their past six games after winning a season-best six straight and have fallen from first to fourth in the West. The Pelicans were 7-19 through 26 games last season. New Orleans may be on the same path. “It is a testimony for us putting in the work,” Pelicans forward Naji Marshall said. They are a great team so for us to get two back-to-back wins against them is big for our confidence.” 2 to start this 1-5 stretch for the Suns. “It don’t really count, and at the end of the day, my team and I, we’re working on our damn selves. “Do the best you can, and the results are the results.

The undrafted, oft-forgotten former two-way contract player embodies the Pelicans' ethos.

He loves the idea of being locked in one-on-one against some of the best players in the game. When Naji is on the ball, I feel pretty good that we’re going to get a stop.” It’s the part of the game he enjoys the most. But he’s worked to round out his game much more than some of the other wing options on the roster. He’s picked up four or more assists in five of his last nine appearances, showing an ability to make plays off the dribble. But Pelicans coach Willie Green values Marshall because, as he has said on multiple occasions, Marshall had to earn his way into the league. [Dyson Daniels](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/dyson-daniels-4JC4u7UaLzTidCin/) is the easiest path to building a deep roster. But Marshall isn’t just an ambassador of vibes in the locker room. He’s the type to find joy in games that are more physical and intense. … We’re sure about what we bring to the team and we try to continue to do that every day.” Not just because of his value on the court, which seems to grow every game. He’s the guy who loves doing all the stuff that doesn’t register in the box score.

The Pelicans are atop the Western Conference and have the best record through 26 games in franchise history.

[Brandon Ingram](/nba/players/2202503/brandon-ingram/) sidelined for this run, Williamson has become a true No. This was his second consecutive 35-point game and his fourth 30-point outing during the Pelicans' winning streak. Unable to shake the big man, Paul went for a step-back 3-pointer and drew a foul. "That was a big call for us," Williamson said. [Chris Paul](/nba/players/555969/chris-paul/). Understand that we let some games slip away last year against the Suns and we wanted to make sure we take care of homecourt and build winning habits going forward."

Deandre Ayton had 28 points and 12 rebounds for Phoenix, but fouled out on Williamson's drive with New Orleans clinging to a two-point lead in the final ...

Paul initially appeared to have drawn a foul on a missed 3-pointer, but the Pelicans challenged the call. ... Outscored Phoenix 70-64 in the paint. He briefly left the game in the fourth quarter after banging knees with the Suns’ Jock Landale, but returned in overtime. We’re trying to pass them so they’re a really good gauge for us to measure ourselves." I’m just proud of the effort we made when we got down." Realize it’s a long season," Paul said about the Suns’ recent swoon. "The Suns, they’ve earned their resume; they’re a great team," Williamson said. "They’ve been to the Finals ... The game went to overtime after Williamson’s mid-range jumper rimmed out at the horn, but Paul joined Ayton on the bench after fouling out with 2:52 to go in the extra period. ... Damion Lee scored 12 points. "He just attacks. ... It’s incredible what he can do."

Curren$y's hometown New Orleans Pelicans are on a hot streak, winning their last 7 games -- so, now he's getting in on the celebration ... in a very ...

Instagram Media Unavailable in a very personal way.

Once again, two stars stepped up in a game when the Phoenix Suns needed three, as the losing streak grew to four after falling in New Orleans in overtime.

Each team scored four points after that, but the harm was already done, and the Suns lost. CP3 shot a fadeaway three, and his legs went out as Zion closed out, with their legs tangling and Paul going to the floor. Paul was good with the ball, dishing out 11 assists against just three turnovers in 34 minutes. Although Ayton and Bridges both came to play, with their 55 combined points helping the Suns match up to 64 from zion Williams and CJ McCollum for New Orleans. His last bucket and the shot came with over nine minutes left in the game, as this fifth and then later his sixth foul kept him from being a factor down the stretch. Ayton was especially active on the offensive end, grabbing six offensive rebounds and dishing out five assists against only one turnover.

Zion Williamson has set the NBA ablaze with his scorching run of late. The New Orleans Pelicans superstar was recently named the Western Conference Player ...

He looks a lot better physically, but also the way he’s playing, he just looks a lot sharper.” The way he's playing, he just looks a lot sharper." “I know in talking to people around the Pelicans, they feel like he’s just gonna get better as the year goes on.

That we're even talking about the Pelicans and their playoff potential is a plus for a franchise with two winning seasons in the past 12.

They got [Larry Nance Jr.](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/larry-nance-jr-7CDgogl74yo30N8R/) as a throw-in to the [CJ McCollum](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/cj-mccollum-6WC3b3hAgVqA0bZf/) trade and found a cheap third center to give them decent minutes in a pinch in [Willy Hernangómez](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/willy-hernangomez-jGe8yKEmFyme9CgA/). The G League Ignite team is taking its lumps this year — they’re 3-12 so far and have lost eight games in a row — but after Scoot Henderson (the presumptive second pick), Miller has quite possibly been their second-best player. To really leverage his threat on the ball, however, Miller has to become more adept at seeing the floor when he goes to the cup; he has just 15 dimes in 11 G League games this year. [Dyson Daniels](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/dyson-daniels-4JC4u7UaLzTidCin/). Fortunately, we do have one player outside the NCAA realm making some noise in Miller, a 6-10 Canadian who pulled out of last year’s draft after a rough performance at the NBA Draft Combine. While Griffin is filled out physically and unlikely to make a seismic impact as an athletic marvel, he also still has room to grow here at just 19 years old – nearly the youngest player selected in the 2022 NBA Draft. Griffin isn’t a high-wire athlete but has a strong frame and has shown some off-the-dribble verve in addition to long-range shooting, including his fantastic finish to beat the Bulls on Sunday. and they’ve also beaten the Phoenix Suns, the [Memphis Grizzlies](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/grizzlies/), the [Dallas Mavericks](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/mavericks/), the [Denver Nuggets](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/nuggets/) and the [LA Clippers](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/clippers/). that its gotten to the point where we’re asking questions about how all this looks in the second round of the playoffs (and, for the writers, fearing having to book rooms during Jazz Fest). Right now they’re atop the West, and there’s no reason they can’t hold this perch as long as Williamson stays in the lineup. And they’ve done it despite [Brandon Ingram](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/brandon-ingram-2qhGZCDXJ36YwTGU/) missing 11 games, Herb Jones nine and [Zion Williamson](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/zion-williamson-l6xjgWmi8X4OMdjm/) five. [Golden State Warriors’](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/warriors/) B Team.

The New Orleans Pelicans were accused of using a noise machine to enhance the boos raining down on Chris Paul.

The only remaining question is how the Phoenix fanbase responds. The first game on Friday ended with a [Zion](https://www.si.com/nba/pelicans) Williamson 360 dunk to cap off the win, which also sparked a post-game scrum. The heckling goes back to last season's playoff series. The all-star put in an MVP-caliber performance this December. “They are booing, but they got a machine in here that kinda echoes the boos, okay?” Johnson said. However, Paul's dirty plays on Jose Alvarado, including elbows to the throat and ribs, have all but erased any goodwill from the Smoothie King Center faithful.

Oct 30, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans mascot Pierre the Pelican performs for the crowd during the second half of a game against the ...

Later on in the game, the crowd busted out in unison [with a savage chant aimed at Paul](https://larrybrownsports.com/basketball/chris-paul/chris-paul-savage-chant-new-orleans-crowd/608510). [plenty of authentic reasons to hate him](https://larrybrownsports.com/basketball/videos-chris-paul-cheap-shots-jose-alvarado/608543). “They are booing, but they got a machine in here that kinda echoes the boos, okay?

5 things to know about the Pelicans on Dec. 12, 2022 · Zion Williamson scores 35 points as Pelicans win seventh straight game · Christian Clark: With this Zion ...

Not just because of his value on the court, which seems to grow every game. In the past 30 years, eight players have combined to win 22 of them. On Friday night, the New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns benches emptied after Williamson’s slam in the closing seconds.

The Phoenix Suns and the New Orleans Pelicans are emerging as one of the new rivalries in the NBA at the moment. This is thanks in large part to Zion ...

He was in the arena during the game, and he’s now accusing the Pelicans of using some sort of machine to make their crowd sound louder than it actually is. There was one particular controversial moment in the game, though, when a Suns broadcaster accused New Orleans of utilizing fake boos. This is thanks in large part to Zion Williamson throwing down a massive 360 dunk in the dying seconds of their 128-117 win over the Suns on Friday.

Naji Marshall is the 'Swiss Army Knife' of the Pelicans and embodies the spirit of New Orleans in his play.

Whether he is sitting on the bench or he's on the court, if you need him to do something, he steps up. "He can just do a lot of things very well." Being the hard worker he is, that may not matter much to him. He's always bringing energy and physicality." Marshall scored in double-figures and averaged over 27 minutes in four of the last five games. New Orleans doesn't back down, and neither does Naji Marshall. "I love, just love NOLA personally," Marshall confided to reporters. Lately, Marshall has been doing a lot of things very well. He embodies the work ethic and determination the city of New Orleans has. "Those people (fans) love us. Before this stretch, he had only scored three times this season in double-figures. Marshall has the reputation of being the "tough guy," but he's much more for New Orleans.

Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson is producing in ways New Orleans envisioned when they drafted him first overall back in 2019.

But for us to kind of have that ranking right now, that's big and we want to not only hold onto it, but build on it.” “He’s relishing this opportunity to be able to be out there and be able to play in big moments in meaningful games — and he’s delivering,” McCollum said. For the season, Williamson has averaged 25 points in 21 contests while shooting better than 60%. Williamson missed most of his rookie season because of protracted rehabilitation from a preseason knee injury. “I mean, that trust does a lot for somebody,” Williamson continued. So, there’s no guideline as to what to expect from him on a given night," Pelicans forward Larry Nance Jr.

New Orleans (18-8) won its seventh straight game, moved 10 games over .500 for the first time since 2018 and heard raucous MVP chants for its rising star ...

The Pelicans lead the Western Conference, one game in front of second-place Memphis (17-9), which hosts Atlanta at 7 p.m. The season series between the clubs is tied 1-1 (a New Year’s Eve matchup in FedEx Forum will break that tie, at least until an April 5 tilt in Louisiana). Central (7 p.m. New Orleans (18-8) won its seventh straight game, moved 10 games over .500 for the first time since 2018 and heard raucous MVP chants for its rising star forward from a sellout crowd. Every game tips off at 8 p.m. The postgame also featured interviews with Williamson, Naji Marshall and Willie Green.

Curren$y saw his New Orleans Pelicans win their seventh straight game against the Phoenix Suns and Zion Williamson gifted Spitta his game-worn jersey.

Curren$y captured the moment in on Instagram with a series of photos including a shot of his newly acquired gear. McCollum also stopped by to greet the Jet Life co-founder on the baseline. After the buzzer sounded following the Pels 129-124 victory, Zion sought out Curren$y courtside and handed over the jersey following a dap-up.

By any measure, the Pelicans look like one of the NBA's best teams. They've got seven straight wins heading into a clash with the upstart Jazz tonight.

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On the night the New Orleans Pelicans advanced to the playoffs in April, Larry Nance Jr. made sure to give a shoutout to a player who hadn't logged a ...

Nance and Williamson click on the court and off. The Pelicans recovered and never trailed in the game again. Over the past two weeks, Williamson has performed like one of the NBA’s best players. “He provides such unique spacing in that corner or in that short corner,” Williamson said. He can play-make from the perimeter, from the post. The Pelicans put the ball in Williamson’s hands. On the night the New Orleans Pelicans advanced to the playoffs in April, Larry Nance Jr. On Phoenix’s ensuing possession, Craig drove the ball to the rim. The end result was a Nance dunk. Heavy doses of Nance next to the Pelicans’ stars late in games is working. The amount of minutes Nance is playing in crunch time indicates how much Green trusts him. He has spent 90% of his minutes at that position, according to Cleaning the Glass.