Just like that, we have a series.
The New Orleans Pelicans leveled their series against the Phoenix Suns at 2-2, behind a powerhouse performance from Brandon Ingram as they secured a 118-103 win in Game 4.
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Ingram flipped the game in the Pelicans' favor in the third quarter, scoring 16 of the team's 35 points, including this emphatic one-handed jam that had the Smoothie King Center crowd on their feet.
🤯 BRANDON INGRAM ROCKS THE RIM!#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel on TNT pic.twitter.com/Un9TkTwAv2
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2022
He finished with 30 points, five assists and four rebounds on 11-of-23 from the field, becoming the first player in Pelicans franchise history to score 30-plus points in three consecutive playoff games.
"Brandon is playing some of his best basketball of the season," Pelicans head coach Willie Green said.
"He’s doing it on the biggest stage. It’s great to see. He’s capable. I’ve said it before, he’s the real deal and he goes out on the floor and puts the work in at practice and we’re seeing it on display."
After starting the season 3-16, the Pelicans rallied in the second half of the season, following the arrival of CJ McCollum and after sneaking into the postseason via the Play-In Tournament, they're leaving it all on the floor against the No. 1 seed Phoenix Suns.
With Ingram seizing the playoff stage, the 24-year-old believes their time has arrived.
“We’ve worked so hard throughout the year to become a better team,” Ingram said. “My teammates put me in the right spots and are making me look good.”
Incredible acrobatic reverse lay-up by Brandon Ingram!
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2022
The spin to kiss it off the glass *chef's kiss* #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel on TNT pic.twitter.com/UcaUrAEVtK
With the Suns missing Devin Booker (hamstring) for an extended period and the Pelicans gaining confidence with each game, New Orleans has its sights set on becoming the first No. 8 seed to upset the No. 1 seed since the Memphis Grizzlies beat the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2011 playoffs.
They still have quite the mountain to climb, as they look to take the lead in the series in Game 5 on Tuesday, April 26 in Phoenix.