NBA · Final

Suns Edge Pelicans in Close Contest at Smoothie King Center

Phoenix Suns17-13

115

New Orleans Pelicans8-24

108

Friday, December 26, 2025, 8:00 PM ET · Smoothie King Center

Phoenix Suns 115, New Orleans Pelicans 108, final. Today's NBA pick is already sealed, as a hash, before kickoff.

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Quick answers

Who won Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans?

Phoenix Suns beat New Orleans Pelicans 115-108 at Smoothie King Center on December 26, 2025.

Who was favored in Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans?

Phoenix Suns were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -198 (about 66% implied). The favorite won.

In a closely contested game at the Smoothie King Center, the Phoenix Suns defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 115-108, extending their lead in the season series to 3-0. The Suns have now won all three meetings this season, showcasing their dominance over the Pelicans. This matchup was particularly noteworthy as it featured two teams with contrasting fortunes; the Suns entered the game with a solid away record of 17-13, while the Pelicans struggled at home with a record of 8-24.

The Pelicans had shown some improvement in their recent form, posting a 5-5 record over their last ten games, although they were on a one-game losing streak following a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In those ten games, they averaged 124.6 points scored while allowing 124.3 points, indicating a high-scoring but defensively weak approach. Their last five games saw them win four, scoring an average of 122.4 points while allowing 119.0. At home, they had a record of 4-3 in their last ten games, but their overall struggles were evident in their season record.

On the other hand, the Suns had a less favorable recent record of 4-6 in their last ten games, but they were coming off a victory against the Los Angeles Lakers, which snapped a streak of inconsistency. Their scoring average during this stretch was 111.2 points, while they allowed 116.2 points per game. The Suns had a mixed away record of 2-4 in their last six away games, but their overall performance on the road was still strong enough to keep them competitive in the playoff race.

In terms of injuries, both teams had key players listed as day-to-day. For the Pelicans, Micah Peavy was resting, and Bryce McGowens was dealing with a toe issue. The Suns had CJ Huntley with a hamstring issue and Mark Williams with a foot problem, both also listed as day-to-day. The absence of any of these players could have significant implications on the team dynamics and performance.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Suns favored by 5.5 points, with a total set at 241.5. The odds suggested a competitive game, with the over at -105.0 and the under at -115.0, indicating that oddsmakers expected a high-scoring affair, reflective of both teams' recent scoring averages.

The game conditions were typical for a December evening in New Orleans, with the Smoothie King Center buzzing with anticipation. Fans were eager to see if the Pelicans could turn their home fortunes around against a Suns team that had proven difficult to beat.

Throughout the game, viewers were treated to a back-and-forth battle, with key moments in the fourth quarter determining the outcome. Dillon Brooks made a crucial jump shot to give the Suns a late lead, while Zion Williamson responded with a driving layup to keep the Pelicans within striking distance. However, the Suns maintained their composure, with Mark Williams contributing significantly with an alley-oop dunk assisted by Devin Booker, who was instrumental in the Suns' offense.

Ultimately, the Suns' ability to execute in clutch moments, combined with their experience, proved decisive. The Pelicans fought hard but fell short, as they have in previous meetings this season. This game highlighted the ongoing challenges for the Pelicans as they seek to improve their standing in the competitive Western Conference.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	PHX -5.5	241.5 o -105 / u -115	Phoenix Suns -198 · New Orleans Pelicans +164

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Injury report

Micah PeavyDay-To-DayRestNew Orleans Pelicans
Bryce McGowensDay-To-DayToeNew Orleans Pelicans
CJ HuntleyDay-To-DayHamstringPhoenix Suns
Mark WilliamsDay-To-DayFootPhoenix Suns

Leaders

PointsZion Williamson20New Orleans Pelicans
AssistsZion Williamson6New Orleans Pelicans
ReboundsZion Williamson8New Orleans Pelicans
PointsDevin Booker30Phoenix Suns
AssistsCollin Gillespie9Phoenix Suns
ReboundsMark Williams13Phoenix Suns

Recent form

New Orleans Pelicans

Last 10: 5-5Streak L1124.6 scored · 124.3 allowed per game4-3 at home

L118-141at Cleveland CavaliersDec 24
W119-113vs Dallas MavericksDec 23
W128-109vs Indiana PacersDec 21
W133-128vs Houston RocketsDec 19
W114-104at Chicago BullsDec 15
W143-120vs Portland Trail BlazersDec 12
L132-135vs San Antonio SpursDec 9
L101-119at Brooklyn NetsDec 6
L116-125vs Minnesota TimberwolvesDec 5
L142-149vs Minnesota TimberwolvesDec 3

Phoenix Suns

Last 10: 4-6Streak W1111.2 scored · 116.2 allowed per game2-4 away

W132-108vs Los Angeles LakersDec 24
L116-119at Golden State WarriorsDec 21
W99-98vs Golden State WarriorsDec 19
L114-116vs Los Angeles LakersDec 15
L89-138at Oklahoma City ThunderDec 11
W108-105at Minnesota TimberwolvesDec 9
L98-117at Houston RocketsDec 6
W125-108at Los Angeles LakersDec 2
L112-130vs Denver NuggetsNov 30
L119-123at Oklahoma City ThunderNov 29

Standings

Team	Games behind	Lost	Streak	Win %	Won
LA Lakers	-	29	W3	.646	53
Phoenix	8	37	W1	.549	45
LA Clippers	11	40	W1	.512	42
Golden State	16	45	L3	.451	37
Sacramento	31	60	L1	.268	22
San Antonio	-	20	L1	.756	62
Houston	10	30	W1	.634	52
New Orleans	36	56	L2	.317	26
Dallas	36	56	W1	.317	26
Memphis	37	57	L8	.305	25

Box score

Stat	Phoenix Suns	New Orleans Pelicans
Field goals	44-91	39-88
Field goal %	48	44
Three-pointers	8-40	5-25
Three-point %	20	20
Free throws	19-25	25-42
Free throw %	76	60
Rebounds	52	38
Offensive rebounds	16	12
Defensive rebounds	36	26
Assists	26	22
Steals	9	10
Blocks	4	2
Turnovers	17	12
Team turnovers	1	0
Technical fouls	2	1
Technical fouls, total	2	1
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	14	12
Fast-break points	15	21
Points in the paint	60	66
Fouls	27	22
Largest lead	9	5
Lead changes	13	13
Time in front	75	17

How the scoring went

4th Quarter83-80Oso Ighodaro makes dunk (Collin Gillespie assists)
4th Quarter83-82Zion Williamson makes 1-foot layup (Jordan Poole assists)
4th Quarter85-82Collin Gillespie makes 14-foot fade away jump shot
4th Quarter85-84Jose Alvarado makes 2-foot reverse layup (Jordan Poole assists)
4th Quarter85-85Zion Williamson makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter85-86Zion Williamson makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter85-87Zion Williamson makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter85-90Trey Murphy III makes 23-foot running jump shot (Zion Williamson assists)
4th Quarter87-90Dillon Brooks makes 17-foot step back jumpshot (Collin Gillespie assists)
4th Quarter88-90Devin Booker makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter89-90Devin Booker makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter89-92Jordan Poole makes 19-foot pullup jump shot
4th Quarter91-92Devin Booker makes 15-foot jumper (Collin Gillespie assists)
4th Quarter91-93Jordan Poole makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter93-93Devin Booker makes 15-foot driving floating jump shot
4th Quarter94-93Devin Booker makes free throw 1 of 1
4th Quarter94-94Saddiq Bey makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter96-94Devin Booker makes driving layup
4th Quarter96-95Jordan Poole makes technical free throw
4th Quarter96-97Trey Murphy III makes 3-foot layup (Derik Queen assists)
4th Quarter96-99Jordan Poole makes driving layup
4th Quarter97-99Mark Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter97-100Zion Williamson makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter98-100Devin Booker makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter99-100Devin Booker makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter100-100Mark Williams makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter101-100Mark Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter102-100Mark Williams makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter103-100Mark Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter103-102Yves Missi makes tip in dunk
4th Quarter105-102Mark Williams makes alley oop dunk (Collin Gillespie assists)
4th Quarter105-104Jordan Poole makes 8-foot two point shot
4th Quarter107-104Dillon Brooks makes 11-foot pullup jump shot
4th Quarter107-106Zion Williamson makes driving layup (Jordan Poole assists)
4th Quarter109-106Collin Gillespie makes 11-foot pullup jump shot
4th Quarter111-106Mark Williams makes 1-foot alley oop dunk (Devin Booker assists)
4th Quarter112-106Devin Booker makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter112-108Trey Murphy III makes 3-foot two point shot (Jordan Poole assists)
4th Quarter113-108Mark Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter115-108Ryan Dunn makes layup (Devin Booker assists)