What We Learned From Suns' Loss to Pelicans

The Phoenix Suns let another victory slip away.

Apr 7, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives past New Orleans / Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns are now 46-32 following a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans that started off so promising.

The Suns started off the contest much akin to the effort on Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but shifty adjustments made by Pelicans head coach Willie Green and a shot-making expo by C.J. McCollum put the Pelicans in position to secure a victory.

The Suns ultimately failed to take over the game when opportunities presented themselves - and a potential de-facto three game lead over New Orleans turned into the two teams being tied in the standings with four games to go.

The ultimate takeaway from this game? The Suns are still in peak form going into the playoffs - this loss wasn't a poor performance by the squad as much as New Orleans pushing to secure the victory.

This is still very much the Suns team we have seen over the last week - they will just now need to tread a fine line over the next four games.

The Pelicans are undoubtedly a quality and motivated squad, but the margin for error has shrunk significantly.

Phoenix now likely needs to at least split the back-to-back meetings with the Los Angeles Clippers, while also defeating the Sacramento Kings to ensure the head-to-head tiebreaker is in their hands going into the final game of the season.

One thing is clear: the next six days will be some of the most interesting and nerve-wracking for fans of the franchise since perhaps the NBA Finals appearance three years ago.

Buckle up, Suns fans!