Jones harassed Devin Booker relentlessly within the ultimate seconds earlier than blocking his three-point try and protect a 126-124 win by the Pelicans over the Phoenix Suns.
The 2023-24 first-team All-Defensive ahead had 4 steals and a block in his first recreation in 5 weeks, together with 12 factors, seven rebounds and 5 assists. His workforce improved to 5-18 on the season, and to 3-2 in video games the place they’ve had Jones within the lineup.
The Suns dropped to 12-9, and to 1-7 with out their very own acclaimed ahead, Kevin Durant, within the lineup. Durant is out for no less than every week with an ankle damage, and even with Booker and Bradley Beal combining for 52 factors, they couldn’t deal with the suddenly-healthy Pelicans.
New Orleans lastly has most of their prime gamers again, although Zion Williamson stays out indefinitely. However with Jones, Dejounte Murray and C.J. McCollum wholesome, the Pelicans really seem like the workforce that made the playoffs final season.
Particularly within the third quarter, when New Orleans went for 45 factors. Ingram had 21 of them, maybe relieved to have teammates to take the scoring burden off him — he completed with 29.
However it was Jones who helped shut out the Suns. With two minutes left, Jones stole the ball from Beal and 15 seconds later, drained a three-pointer to provide New Orleans a four-point lead.
The Pelicans snapped a nine-game dropping streak, however abruptly they’re wanting like an actual basketball workforce once more. With the return of Jones, who Ingram known as “our coronary heart and soul,” they’re even wanting harmful.
