The 2026 NBA Summer League delivered an exciting early-morning showdown as the New Orleans Pelicans outlasted the Phoenix Suns with a hard-fought 81-75 victory on July 13. The matchup, played at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, showcased the depth of both teams' young talent and offered a glimpse into the future for two franchises building around their latest draft picks and developmental players.

Game Overview

The Pelicans jumped out to an aggressive start, using a balanced scoring attack and tight defensive rotations to build an early cushion. While the Suns fought back in the second half, New Orleans maintained its composure down the stretch, converting key free throws and forcing critical turnovers. The final score reflected a game where both teams showed flashes of brilliance, but the Pelicans’ consistency proved the difference.

Key Moments and Turning Points

• First-Half Dominance: New Orleans opened with a 12-4 run, holding Phoenix to just 32% shooting in the first quarter. The Pelicans led 44-36 at halftime.
• Suns’ Third-Quarter Push: Phoenix came out of the break with renewed energy, cutting the deficit to two points midway through the third quarter. A 7-0 run ignited by rookie guard Jalen Bridges brought the Suns within 58-56.
• Clutch Defense Wins the Game: With the score tied at 73-73 and less than two minutes remaining, Pelicans forward Jordan Hawkins (summer league standout) stripped the ball from a Suns driver and converted a fast-break layup to give New Orleans the lead for good. The Pelicans then forced a shot-clock violation and sealed the win at the free-throw line.

Standout Players

For the Pelicans: Second-year guard Jordan Hawkins led all scorers with 22 points (8-of-16 FG, 3-of-7 from three) and added 5 rebounds and 3 steals. His ability to create his own shot and disrupt passing lanes was on full display. Rookie big man Yves Missi contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double, showing excellent rim-running and shot-blocking instincts.

For the Suns: Summer league veteran Jalen Bridges paced Phoenix with 18 points and 6 rebounds, including four three-pointers. Point guard Collin Gillespie added 13 points and 7 assists, but his four turnovers in the final quarter hurt Phoenix’s comeback bid. The Suns struggled to find consistent scoring outside their top two options, shooting only 38% as a team.

Tactical Story

The Pelicans’ defense was the story of the night. They switched aggressively on screens, preventing Phoenix from generating easy looks in the paint. New Orleans also dominated the glass, pulling down 42 rebounds to the Suns’ 33. Offensively, the Pelicans moved the ball well (20 assists on 32 made field goals) and attacked the rim relentlessly, earning 28 free-throw attempts (making 22). The Suns, by contrast, settled for too many contested mid-range jumpers and committed 17 turnovers.

What This Means for Both Teams

For the New Orleans Pelicans, this Summer League victory builds momentum for a young core that includes promising pieces like Hawkins, Missi, and last year’s first-round pick. The team’s ability to execute in high-pressure summer situations bodes well for their development. For the Phoenix Suns, the loss highlights areas of concern: outside shooting consistency and interior defense. However, the competitive performance from players like Bridges and Gillespie gives the Suns’ front office hope that they have found valuable rotational pieces for the regular season.

The NBA Summer League continues to serve as a proving ground for the league’s next generation, and this Pelicans-Suns clash provided plenty of drama and insight for fans and scouts alike.