In a high-scoring showdown, Devin Booker’s remarkable performance powered the Phoenix Suns to a 124-111 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night, tightening the race in the Western Conference playoff standings.
Booker’s sensational display marked the second time this season that he scored 52 points against the Pelicans, showcasing his scoring prowess and leading the Suns within one game of the Pelicans for the sixth seed in the conference.
Joining Booker in the offensive onslaught, Kevin Durant contributed 20 points, Jusuf Nurkic notched an impressive double-double with 19 points and 19 rebounds, while Bradley Beal added 13 points for the Suns.
Despite a valiant effort from the Pelicans, led by Zion Williamson’s 30 points, Trey Murphy III’s 21 points, and CJ McCollum’s 15 points, the Suns emerged victorious, clinching the season series with one game remaining between the two teams.
In other NBA action:
The Boston Celtics secured a commanding 118-104 road victory over the Charlotte Hornets, fueled by Jayson Tatum’s 25 points and Sam Hauser’s seven 3-pointers off the bench. Kristaps Porzingis contributed 20 points as the Celtics showcased their offensive firepower, outscoring the Hornets 57-39 from beyond the arc.
The Orlando Magic narrowly escaped with a 104-103 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, with all five starters scoring at least 14 points. Franz Wagner led the Magic with 20 points, helping his team fend off a late surge from the Trail Blazers, who were led by Deandre Ayton’s 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Jaren Jackson Jr. exploded for 40 points to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a hard-fought 110-108 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Luke Kennard added 19 points and eight assists for the Grizzlies, while Cade Cunningham’s 36 points and eight assists weren’t enough to lift the Pistons to victory.
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Chicago Bulls 113-101 behind Bogdan Bogdanovic’s 20 points, narrowing the gap in the Eastern Conference playoff race. DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 31 points, but it wasn’t sufficient to prevent the Hawks from securing their fifth win in six games.
Tyrese Haliburton’s stellar performance propelled the Indiana Pacers to a convincing 133-111 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Haliburton posted a double-double with 27 points and 13 assists, guiding the Pacers to victory as Cam Thomas led the Nets with 22 points.
These compelling matchups underscored the intensity and competitiveness of the NBA as teams jockey for playoff positioning in the closing stages of the regular season. With every game crucial in determining postseason fate, the race for the playoffs promises to deliver thrilling basketball action in the weeks to come.
