NBA: Pelicans squeak past Suns, end nine-game losing streak

Brandon Ingram scored 29 points, CJ McCollum had 25 and the host New Orleans Pelicans ended a nine-game losing streak by defeating the Phoenix Suns 126-124 on Thursday night.

Trey Murphy III added 19 points, Dejounte Murray had 17, Herbert Jones 12 and Brandon Boston Jr. 11 for the Pelicans.

Devin Booker netted 28 points and Bradley Beal had 24 for the Suns. Royce O'Neale tallied 19 points, Grayson Allen added 13 points and 10 assists, and Tyus Jones scored 13 points for the Suns.

Murray made a 3-pointer and converted a three-point play as New Orleans scored the first eight points in the third quarter to get within 65-62. The Suns led by six points three more times before Ingram took over.

Ingram made four 3-pointers, including three in a span of 36 seconds, and scored 15 points during a 22-10 run that gave the Pelicans a 99-93 lead at the end of the quarter.

Beal's 3-pointer pulled Phoenix even at 101, but McCollum had a field goal and a 3-pointer to help New Orleans take a 109-101 lead.

O'Neale scored five points and the Suns got within 111-110, but McCollum converted a three-point play and Murray made a basket to push the lead to six.

Booker scored four and Phoenix went up by one, but McCollum made two free throws and Herbert Jones added a 3-pointer to put New Orleans up by four with 1:49 to go. Booker made four free throws to tie the game, but McCollum scored on a drive and fed Murphy for a dunk and a 125-121 lead with 14 seconds left.

Allen made a 3-pointer and McCollum made one of two free throws on the other end, leaving the Pelicans with a two-point lead, and Herbert Jones blocked Booker's 3-point attempt as time expired.

Booker, who scored 52 in each of his last two games in New Orleans, had 15 in the first quarter, but McCollum's 3-pointer gave New Orleans a 34-33 lead at the end of the period.

Beal, O'Neale and Tyus Jones each made a 3-pointer during an 11-0 run that gave the Suns a 57-44 lead.

Boston scored four points and Murphy had five as the Pelicans trimmed the lead to 65-54 at halftime.

--Field Level Media/Reuters