By Gee Bino | The Who Dat Daily
Pelicans Summer League Win: New Orleans Defeats Suns 81-75 for Second Straight Victory
The New Orleans Pelicans are beginning to build momentum in Las Vegas.
After rallying for an emotional comeback victory over Charlotte, New Orleans followed it up Sunday with another gritty performance, defeating the Phoenix Suns 81-75 to improve to 2-1 in NBA Summer League play.
It wasn’t always pretty.
Neither team shot particularly well, but the Pelicans made the winning plays when they mattered most. New Orleans controlled the glass, forced turnovers, defended at a high level, and received balanced scoring throughout the rotation to earn its second consecutive victory.
For a young roster learning a new system under Summer League head coach God Shammgod, the progress has been noticeable with each game.
Jaron Pierre Jr. Continues to Flash His Scoring Ability
Second-round draft pick Jaron Pierre Jr. once again demonstrated why the Pelicans were excited to bring him to New Orleans.
Pierre finished with 16 points, knocking down three three-pointers while continuing to display confidence as a shot creator.
Although he finished 5-of-17 from the field, Pierre remained aggressive throughout the contest and never stopped hunting quality looks.
His willingness to keep attacking despite an inconsistent shooting night is exactly what coaches want to see from a young scorer.
Malik Dia Provides Huge Lift Off the Bench
One of the biggest stories of the afternoon came from the second unit.
Malik Dia delivered perhaps his best Summer League performance, finishing with:
- 18 points
- 8 rebounds
- 2 blocks
- 2 steals
Dia’s activity on both ends of the floor helped swing momentum several times.
He consistently attacked the glass, finished around the basket, and gave New Orleans valuable energy during extended stretches.
Defensive Identity Beginning to Take Shape
Offense may come and go during Summer League, but defensive habits often carry into training camp.
The Pelicans forced 18 Phoenix turnovers, collecting 12 steals and five blocked shots while holding the Suns to just:
- 39% shooting
- 20% from three-point range (6-of-30)
New Orleans also won the rebounding battle 46-41, including 10 offensive rebounds, creating valuable second-chance opportunities despite shooting only 36 percent from the floor.
Those hustle statistics ultimately proved to be the difference.
Balanced Contributions Throughout the Rotation
Several young Pelicans made meaningful contributions.
Kobe Bufkin finished with 15 points, four rebounds and two assists while creating offense throughout the afternoon.
Markquis Nowell continued facilitating the offense with three assists while adding four steals on the defensive end.
Hunter Dickinson battled inside despite a difficult shooting afternoon, grabbing eight rebounds while helping protect the paint.
Melvin Council Jr. continued to impact the game with his defensive intensity and playmaking, while Christian Shumate and Nate Mensah provided strong interior minutes off the bench.
Although the offensive efficiency wasn’t spectacular, New Orleans received production from nearly every player who entered the game.
Team Statistics
New Orleans
- 81 Points
- 27-of-74 FG (36%)
- 11-of-34 3PT (32%)
- 11-of-13 FT (85%)
- 46 Rebounds
- 15 Assists
- 12 Steals
- 5 Blocks
Phoenix
- 75 Points
- 39% FG
- 20% 3PT
- 18 Turnovers
Film Room
While the shooting percentages won’t jump off the stat sheet, the Pelicans continue showing encouraging growth in areas that matter most during Summer League.
Coach God Shammgod has emphasized ball pressure, defensive communication, and player development over individual statistics.
Through three games, the team appears increasingly comfortable within those principles.
The defensive effort has steadily improved, and the offensive decision-making has become noticeably cleaner compared to the opening loss.
Big Q’s Take
Summer League isn’t about championships.
It’s about identifying players who can help your NBA roster.
Through three games, the Pelicans have discovered several intriguing prospects.
Jaron Pierre Jr. continues proving he belongs. Malik Dia keeps earning more opportunities. Kobe Bufkin has flashed scoring ability, and the team’s overall defensive identity appears to be taking shape under God Shammgod’s leadership.
Most importantly, this young group is beginning to learn how to win close basketball games.
That may be the biggest development of all.
Why It Matters
The Pelicans entered Las Vegas looking to evaluate young talent while establishing a new developmental culture under head coach Jamahl Mosley.
Winning consecutive games doesn’t guarantee future NBA success, but it does reinforce the habits the organization wants to build.
As Summer League continues, New Orleans will focus less on the final scores and more on discovering which players can eventually contribute to the NBA roster.
After two straight victories, several young Pelicans are making strong cases for larger opportunities moving forward.
Gee Bino is a senior writer and columnist for The Who Dat Daily, covering the New Orleans Saints, Pelicans, LSU athletics, and the Gulf South sports landscape. He specializes in roster construction, player development, salary cap strategy, and breaking news coverage. Follow The Who Dat Daily for daily news, analysis, and exclusive team coverage.
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