The Phoenix Suns have had an incredibly impressive season this year. Securing a 64-18 record, this tied for the 23rd best regular-season record of all time. The Suns were regarded as the title favorite heading into the playoffs and for good reason. Phoenix was expected to handle the 36-46 New Orleans Pelicans with ease, but this has proved not to be the case. The injury to Devin Booker has changed the Suns' offense a great deal, and with the series tied at two games, the Suns should have some real concerns.
3 reasons Pelicans should have Suns Nervous
Brandon Ingram's Superstar Growth
The NBA is a star-driven league and this gets put on full display in the playoffs. With Devin Booker out of the lineup, the Pelicans have the two biggest stars on the court in Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum. While Chris Paul is still a very effective player, he is not capable of carrying a team through a playoff series at this stage in his career. Both McCollum and Ingram have embraced their roles and not shied away from creating their own shots.
The guy that has stepped up to the challenge is Ingram. The 24-year-old has taken another massive step in his development and is capitalizing on the opportunity. The former second overall pick is averaging 29.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in the series. He also is shooting 51.3% from the field and 50% on three-point attempts. Ingram is capitalizing on the mid-range looks he has been able to get and is growing into the superstar it has always hoped he would become. The Pelicans are thriving with him at the helm.
"Brandon is playing some of his best basketball of the season and he's doing it on the biggest stage. It's great to see."
Coach Willie Green on Brandon Ingram's Playoff performance 🙌pic.twitter.com/1bLsE3N2xS
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) April 25, 2022
Devin Booker will not return
As the Suns continue to struggle, there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Devin Booker is out for the remainder of the series and is likely to miss two to three weeks. The Suns must figure out how to play without their star player before it is too late. Phoenix has a positive track record without Booker on the court, but it is a different animal in the postseason, especially against a motivated Pelicans squad. The Suns must find a way to make up for the offensive production that Booker typically provides.
DeAndre Ayton has been the biggest guy who has stepped up for the Suns. The big man has scored 20 or more points in three out of four games this series and had an especially effective Game 3. The problem with this is that Pelicans' big man Jonas Valanciunas has been just as productive. Ayton is still making his case why he deserves the massive contract this offseason, and not being able to separate himself from Valanciunas is not a great look. The Lithuanian is a very solid NBA center, but if Ayton wants to prove he is worth the max contract he is seeking he must step it up for the remainder of the series.
Herb Jones is a force
Herb Jones was seemingly everywhere in Game 4. The Pelicans rookie continued to put on display his defensive intensity and wreaked havoc all over the court. Jones ended with 13 points, 3 assists, 3 blocks, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals. It was an effective two-way performance and the Alabama product played a major role in the win. This should be no surprise for anyone who has watched New Orleans play this season.
The 6'7 wing is the glue man in the Pelicans' defense and has been vital to their success. It is rare for a rookie to be ready to shoulder such a large postseason role, but Jones has proved to be prepared for the moment. The first-year forward has played 30 or more minutes in all four games thus far. He impacts the game in a unique fashion but there are stretches of the game where Jones is able to take over. His disruptive defensive nature teases Defensive Player of the Year potential and Jones deserves a ton of credit for helping elevate this New Orleans Pelicans team.
While Devin Booker's injury has certainly played a role in the series, it should not discount the effort from the Pelicans. Willie Green has done a terrific job and has the team playing its best basketball of the season at the right time. New Orleans is playing like a team that has something to prove. The two wins in the series are no fluke and the Suns should be a little rattled as the series progresses. The Pelicans have an exciting young roster that is showing no fear on the big stage. Look for New Orleans to continue to assert themselves and attempt to win their first playoff series since 2018.
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