By Ryan Pullido
Eagle News Service

(Eagle News) — Despite a valiant effort, the New Orleans Pelicans fall to the one-seed Phoenix Suns. Led by Chris Paul and Devin Booker, the Suns were not going to allow a Game 7 and ended the series in six. 

The Pelicans fought tooth and nail in Game 6 until the final buzzer sounded.

A young team, led by Brandon Ingram, the Pelicans were expected to be swept by the ravaging terror that is the Phoenix Suns.

After winning the Play-In Tournament against the Clippers, the Pels lost to the Suns in Game 1. Despite the slow start for the Pelicans, they managed to cut down the 23-point deficit by the end of the third. In the fourth quarter, the Pelicans found their groove and kept hitting shots. Unfortunately for New Orleans, Chris Paul turned it on and the Phoenix took the first game of the series. 

In Game 2, the Pelicans pulled off the upset and tied up the series one apiece. They showed their grit and were not going to go down without a fight. During this game, Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker came out in the third quarter with a tight right hamstring injury.

Games 3 and 4 would become a back and forth as each team came away with a victory.

Game 5 was a crucial win for the Suns as this set the stage for them to end the Pelicans’ season in Game 6. 

In Game 6, Chris Paul’s perfect game of 14-for-14 shooting would prove too much for the Pelicans to handle and would also set a record for the most field goals without a miss in an NBA playoff game.

The return of Devin Booker would also bolster the Suns as he made a late crucial 3-pointer that would put away the Pelicans for good. 

Despite this, the Pelicans have shown themselves to be a lethal title contender in the near future. If the Pelicans can take the Phoenix Suns to six games without New Orleans’ main star, one can guess what they can do once Zion Williamson comes back. 

(Eagle News Service)