Herb Jones and Brandon Ingram get Pelicans back on track | Pelicans

What a difference a few healthy bodies can make.

Especially when one of them is Brandon Ingram and another is Herb Jones.

For the first time since opening night, the New Orleans Pelicans had Ingram, Jones, CJ McCollum and Dejounte Murray in uniform at the same time.

And for the first time since November 15th, the Pelicans won.

The Pelicans ended a nine-game losing streak on Thursday, defeating the Phoenix Suns 126-124 in a thriller at the Smoothie King Center.

As time expired, Jones blocked Devin Booker’s potentially game-winning shot to secure the victory.

After losing 15 of their last 16 games, the Pelicans got back on track by erasing a 65-54 halftime deficit and then making enough plays to escape with a win.

The Pels outscored the Suns 45-28 in the third quarter. They ended the quarter with a 22:10 run. It was the Pelicans’ highest scoring quarter of the season. Ingram scored 21 of his 29 points in the quarter in his return after missing the last five games with a calf injury.

Jones, on the other hand, missed the last 18 games due to a shoulder injury and also returned on Thursday.

“His presence alone drives our team,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said of Jones before the game. “He is our defensive captain. First team All Defense last season. His aggressiveness has now increased even more as his communication with his teammates on defense helps the boys get to the right spot. Herb is one of those who lights our fire.”

He lit a big fire in the final seconds after McCollum missed a free throw with 2.7 seconds left defending Booker. Jones finished the game with 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists, four steals and a very important blocked shot.

It was the 16th different starting lineup this season for the Pelicans (5-18).

The Suns (12-9) were without Kevin Durant after the 14-time All Star injured his ankle Tuesday night against the San Antonio Spurs. But Phoenix still had Booker, who beat the Pels by 52 points both times in their trips to New Orleans last season.

On Thursday, Booker scored 15 points in the first quarter and appeared to be on track for another scoring run. But the Pels did well to keep him under control the rest of the way. He went scoreless in the second quarter and finished the game with 28 points. Jones made sure he didn’t score his 31st point.

The Pelicans host the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.