Zion Williamson has 1st career triple-double, leads the Pelicans to a 124-116 victory over the Suns

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) pressures Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives on Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards (2) and forward Kevin Durant during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives past Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) dunks over Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) avoids Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (15) drives on Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

By DAVID BRANDT

PHOENIX (AP) — Zion Williamson had his first career triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Phoenix Suns 124-116 on Thursday night for their third straight victory.

CJ McCollum added 19 points in the opener of a two-game set in Phoenix to help New Orleans match its longest winning streak of the season.

Phoenix climbed out of an 18-point hole in the first half and had a 91-88 lead after three quarters. But the Pelicans dominated most of the fourth and Williamson made two tough buckets in the paint down the stretch to seal the win.

New Orleans improved to 5-24 on the road this season. All five starters scored in double figures, including Trey Murphy III, who had 18 points and made five 3-pointers. Yves Missi added 11 points and 10 rebounds.

The fading Suns have lost seven of their last eight. Devin Booker had 36 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. Kevin Durant scored 28 points.

New Orleans scored the first 13 points of the second quarter to take a 48-30 lead, but the Suns rallied for a 62-61 advantage by halftime. Booker scored 17 points before the break.

Takeaways

Pelicans: New Orleans is playing better these days, especially with Williamson in the lineup. It’s a team that could play spoiler over the next few months.

Suns: Phoenix is running out of time to start playing better and make the playoffs. Durant and Booker are scoring boatloads of points most nights, but it’s not translating to good overall basketball. Starting guard Bradley Beal (calf) didn’t play.

Key moment

Karlo Matkovic hit a corner 3 with 3:24 left to put the Pelicans up 116-108. He finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Key stat

The Suns went cold in the fourth quarter. They shot 9 of 25 from the field (36%) and just 2 of 14 (14.3%) from 3-point range.

Up next

The teams play each other again on Friday in Phoenix.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA