March 5, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) passes the ball in the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at the Golden One Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Image The Phoenix Suns will look to regroup against the visiting New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. This team appears to have found their rhythm just as the Suns were struggling to find theirs.
The Suns entered their second game in a row after a disappointing 105-103 home loss to the Chicago Bulls, who not only had lost 12 of 13 but were playing without leading scorers Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis.
“They had a heart-pounding offense and we couldn’t stop them,” Suns coach Jordan Ott said.
New Orleans also plays its second game in as many nights after a 133-123 win over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday behind Zion Williamson (23 points), Trey Murphy III (21 points) and Sadiq Bey (20 points).
The Pelicans, who have won five of their last seven games, had 50 points, 30 rebounds, 15 assists and just two turnovers from reserves against the Kings.
Bryce McGowens added 14 points and six rebounds, while fellow bench player Derek Quinn had 12 points and nine rebounds, respectively. Karlo Matkovic had nine points and nine boards, and Jeremiah Fears had 13 points, six rebounds and six assists.
“I want to give a big round of applause to Jeremiah Pearce,” Williamson said in a post-match TV interview.
“Watch his growth throughout the season. He’s really figuring out the game and playing a lot of minutes. It was the same with the DQ (Quinn). So was Bryce. Our bench really helped us win the game.”
New Orleans took a 15-0 lead in the third quarter to win. The game started with a layup by Fears and ended with a Matkovic dunk off an alley-oop feed from Fears for a 95-81 lead.
The Suns are on a two-game winning streak against the Bulls and have lost seven of their last 11 games.
Still without Dylan Brooks (broken hand), the Suns were unable to make up for the loss of starting center Mark Williams, who missed the game with a stress reaction in his left foot. Williams is expected to miss two to three weeks, according to the Suns.
Chicago scored 68 points in the paint with guards Collin Sexton (season-high 30 points) and Tre Jones (21) attacking the basket tenaciously.
“We couldn’t keep the ball in front of us,” Ott said. “Collin Sexton has been doing this for years. He’s found a way to impact the game with his overall tenacity and tenacity. He’s done it again.”
The Suns shot 39.1% from the field and 28.3% from 3-point range.
Devin Booker had 27 points on 9-of-21 shooting and Grayson Allen had 21 points on 6-of-19 shooting. Jalen Green and Collin Gillespie combined for 17 points and shot 6 of 26 from the field.
“Some of our shot making wasn’t there early, but that’s the game of basketball,” Ott said. “Leave it on every night. Some nights it doesn’t come on.”
Oso Igodaro, who is less physically fit than Williams, played a season-high 36 minutes and recorded 10 points and 9 rebounds. Rookie center Khaman Maluach scored two points in 12 minutes.
Ott said of Williams, “When you take a guy out, he’s a great guy who’s been very consistent and consistent for us.” “… Aside from that, it’s just a trickle-down effect.
“We will have to find a solution very quickly.”
–Field level media
