Josh Jackson hit a tying 3-pointer with 2 seconds left in overtime, the Pelicans were assessed a technical foul when they called a timeout they didn't have and Devin Booker hit the free throw to give the Phoenix Suns the lead for good in a 138-136 victory on Saturday night.
Booker finished with 40 points to go with 13 assists, and Jackson, who had 19 points, scored the game's final point on a free throw after he was fouled on an inbound pass with less than a second on the clock.
Elfrid Payton had 16 points, 16 assists and 13 rebounds in his fourth straight triple-double — all coming in the midst of New Orleans' six-game losing streak.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) is blocked by New Orleans Pelicans guard Kenrich Williams (34) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Saturday, March 16, 2019. (AP PhotoTyler Kaufman)
Julius Randle had 21 points and 11 rebounds, but missed what turned out to be a pivotal free throw with 12 seconds left in overtime.
New Orleans called its final timeout, leading 136-133, after rebounding Booker's missed 3-point attempt with 7 seconds to go. But when play resumed, Payton was whistled for a 5-second violation while trying to inbound the ball, setting up Jackson's game-turning 3.
Anthony Davis, who scored the game's first points on an alley-oop dunk, had 15 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and a block in 22 minutes for New Orleans. The Pelicans trailed 80-75 when Davis left the game for good with 5:15 left in the third quarter, in line with his scaled-back playing time since his trade request in late January.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) is defended by New Orleans Pelicans guard Kenrich Williams (34) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Saturday, March 16, 2019. (AP PhotoTyler Kaufman)
Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 32 points for Phoenix, which has won five of its past eight games.
New Orleans' overtime collapse came after the Pelicans also missed a chance to end the game in regulation.
After Booker's layup tied the game at 122 with 18 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Pelicans called timeout to set up the last shot, but Frank Jackson's fade from the top of the key fell short.
Phoenix Suns forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (3) drives past New Orleans Pelicans guard Frank Jackson (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Saturday, March 16, 2019. (AP PhotoTyler Kaufman)
TIP-INS
Suns: Deandre Ayton was ejected after being assessed his second technical foul of the game with 1:02 left in the third quarter. Official Eric Lewis assessed the second technical while Ayton complained from the bench about a foul called against him moments earlier that had led coach Igor Kokoskov to substitute the starting center out of the game. Lewis later called a technical on Oubre for arguing a call in the middle of the fourth quarter. ... Oubre has scored 22 or more in three of his past four games. ... Oubre missed two dunks, one on a put-back opportunity and another when he miss-timed a flamboyant, left-handed attempt on a fast break and jammed the ball against the side of the rim.
Pelicans: Payton joined James Harden, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Russell Westbrook as the only players in NBA history to record triple-doubles in as many as four straight games. ... Darius Miller had 16 points, Jahlil Okafor 15 and Ian Clark 11, all off the bench. Jackson scored 14 and Kenrich Williams 10 in starting roles. ... Cheick Diallo had 10 rebounds. ... Latvian Dairis Bertans played for the third time since New Orleans acquired him as a rookie free agent this month. The 29-year-old, whose younger brother, Davis, plays for San Antonio, scored the first points of his career on a 3-pointer late in the third quarter. He finished with three points and one assist in 10:34 on the court.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) dunks the ball over Phoenix Suns forward Dragan Bender (35) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Saturday, March 16, 2019. (AP PhotoTyler Kaufman)
UP NEXT
Suns: Host Chicago on Monday night.
Pelicans: Visit Dallas on Monday night.
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Chris Paul scored 19 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and the Phoenix Suns overcame Devin Booker's absence to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 114-111 on Friday night in Game 3 of the first-round series.
Deandre Ayton added 28 points and 17 rebounds to help the top-seeded Suns take a 2-1 series lead. Paul scored 15 of Phoenix’s first 23 points of the final quarter. He also had 14 assists.
Booker strained his right hamstring Tuesday night after scoring 31 first-half points in a 125-114 home loss. He sat on the bench during Game 3.
Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder (99) is held back as he goes after New Orleans Pelicans center Jaxson Hayes (10), who was called for a flagrant-2 foul and ejected during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in New Orleans, Friday, April 22, 2022. (AP PhotoMichael DeMocker)
Mikal Bridges had 17 points for the Suns. Backup center center JaVale McGee scored 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting as the Suns hurt the Pelicans inside.
Brandon Ingram led New Orleans with 34 points. CJ McCollum had 30.
Game 4 is Sunday night in New Orleans.
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) dunks against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in New Orleans, Friday, April 22, 2022. (AP PhotoMichael DeMocker)
Jose Alvarado kept the Pelicans in it in the fourth with seven consecutive points, but Paul answered with five straight points and an assist to tie it at 90 with 6:32 left. Paul then had eight consecutive points for a 98-93 lead.
The Suns took their biggest lead, 66-53, early in the third quarter, but New Orleans used a 12-0 run over the next 2:43 to pull to 66-63. McCollum was the catalyst with a 3-pointer and a layup, and New Orleans pulled to 81-79 entering the fourth quarter on the strength of a 31-22 third-period run.
McCollum’s 16-foot jumper with 5:13 left in the first half tied it at 43, but while the ball was in the air, Pelicans forward Jaxson Hayes barreled into Jae Crowder, who was standing on the baseline near the basket. Hayes’ shoulder-to-chest foul was reviewed and earned him a Flagrant 2 foul and an ejection.
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) is fouled by New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in New Orleans, Friday, April 22, 2022. (AP PhotoMichael DeMocker)
That dustup sparked a 16-5 Phoenix run to close the half, and the Suns led 59-48 at intermission.
Ayton, who was held to just 10 points in a Game 2 loss to New Orleans, had 21 points in the half on 10-of-14 shooting, with four of his baskets coming on feeds from Paul.
TIP INS
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, works against New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (5) in the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in New Orleans, Friday, April 22, 2022. (AP PhotoMichael DeMocker)
Suns: SG Landry Shamet has the confidence of coach Monty Williams. “He the ability to score the ball and play-make, get downhill,” Williams said. “But defensively, he fights, and that’s something that we’ve noticed with him. He’ll make plays blocking shots at the rim. He’ll stick his nose in there to rebound on the backside. So he’s been a guy that we’ve been able to rely on in situations like this.” He had five points, missing all five of his 3-point attempts.
Pelicans: Reserve PG Devonte Graham, who has struggled offensively, had 11 first-points, including three 3-pointers. … Coach Willie Green said he could sense a growing momentum among Pelicans fans in what is normally considered a football city. “We’re thankful and grateful for our fans and the support that we’ve been getting,” he said. “We’re trying to put a team forward that represents the city well, and I think we’re moving in the right direction, and I think people can feel that.”
New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas (17) is fouled by Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in New Orleans, Friday, April 22, 2022. (AP PhotoMichael DeMocker)
New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) steals the ball from Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson (23) in the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in New Orleans, Friday, April 22, 2022. (AP PhotoMichael DeMocker)
New Orleans Pelicans center Jaxson Hayes (10) is fouled by Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in New Orleans, Friday, April 22, 2022. (AP PhotoMichael DeMocker)
Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) defends against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (15) during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in New Orleans, Friday, April 22, 2022. (AP PhotoMichael DeMocker)
New Orleans Pelicans coach Willie Green watches as a foul is called against a Pelicans player during the first half of Game 3 of the team's NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns in New Orleans, Friday, April 22, 2022. (AP PhotoMichael DeMocker)
Phoenix Suns center JaVale McGee (00) reaches for a rebound during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Friday, April 22, 2022. (AP PhotoMichael DeMocker)
