PHOENIX SUNS

Suns can’t break 3-point dam in Game 4 vs. Pelicans

Apr 24, 2022, 7:50 PM | Updated: Apr 25, 2022, 12:23 am

Cameron Johnson #23 of the Phoenix Suns attempts a three-point shot over CJ McCollum #3 of the New ...

Cameron Johnson #23 of the Phoenix Suns attempts a three-point shot over CJ McCollum #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Footprint Center on April 19, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Game 3 of their first-round series against the Pelicans was a win for the Phoenix Suns, but the energy from that game Friday carried over into Sunday’s 118-103 New Orleans win at the Smoothie King Center.

More specifically, the Suns’ three-point shooting funk remained in Game 4, a loss that brings the series back to Phoenix tied at 2-2.

Phoenix shot 7-of-27 (26%) from three-point land.

It followed the team’s 4-of-26 (15%) shooting from deep in a 114-111 win on Friday that put the Suns ahead 2-1 in the series.

On Sunday, Cam Johnson hit Phoenix’s first three-point shot of the game at the 10:51 mark of the second quarter, but that came after he air-balled two threes in the first quarter. He nailed another with five minutes to go before halftime.

Johnson closed going 3-of-7 from long range.

Jae Crowder, who had struggled mightily with a 0-of-14 mark from three-point range in the first three games, nailed his first trey of the series just before halftime.

The differential from deep didn’t bite the Suns as it did a game prior thanks to some air-tight defense on their front. New Orleans went 6-of-24 from three-point range, but the Pelicans were a plus-22 from the foul line as Phoenix only got to the free-throw line twice in the first half and 15 times for the game.

Deandre Ayton led the Suns in scoring with 23, while backup JaVale McGee added 14 and Johnson posted 13.

Phoenix Suns

Deandre Ayton and Damian Lillard...

Arizona Sports

36 unbothered: Deandre Ayton traded to Blazers for package

Deandre Ayton is traded to the Blazers. Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson are headed to Phoenix.

7 hours ago

Frank Vogel, Phoenix Suns head coach 2...

Kellan Olson

Frank Vogel is X-Factor of Phoenix Suns’ Jusuf Nurkic, Deandre Ayton swap

It will be impossible for the Suns to replace what Deandre Ayton brings but Frank Vogel is the right coach to maximize Jusuf Nurkic.

7 hours ago

Phoenix Suns forward Frank Kaminsky (8) and Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) battle ...

Stephen Gugliociello

Suns get lowest grade in Lillard, Ayton deal, but still solid review from ESPN

The hot takes are still rolling in for the Phoenix Suns' handling of the departure of Deandre Ayton from the Valley in his trade to Portland.

8 hours ago

Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns reacts against the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter at ...

Dan Bickley

Deande Ayton’s lack of playoff moxie is no longer the Suns’ problem

The Suns polished off their championship roster on Wednesday by getting rid of Deandre Ayton and adding depth to the roster.

11 hours ago

Deandre Ayton guards Damian Lillard...

Arizona Sports

Reactions flood in following trade involving Damian Lillard, Deandre Ayton

The NBA world quickly caught fire with the news of a three-team trade centered around Damian Lillard and Deandre Ayton.

14 hours ago

Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns during Game Four of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals at ...

Arizona Sports

Watch: Arizona Sports reacts to Deandre Ayton trade to Blazers as part of Damian Lillard deal

Empire of the Suns' Kellan Olson and Kevin Zimmerman join Arizona Sports' Wolf & Luke to react to the deal one week out from training camp.

15 hours ago

Suns can’t break 3-point dam in Game 4 vs. Pelicans