Phoenix Suns: Top 10 moments of the 2018-19 NBA season

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images /

4. The absurd overtime finish to Suns-Pelicans

Remember how we mentioned the Suns and Pelicans went to overtime twice this season? Well in that first OT matchup in New Orleans, one of the most enjoyable performances of Phoenix’s season was overshadowed by the absurd tankery that went down in the game’s waning moments.

Devin Booker was sensational, finishing his night with 40 points, 13 assists, five rebounds and the game-tying layup with 18.2 seconds left to force overtime. Kelly Oubre Jr. added a career-high 32 points, while Josh Jackson knocked down the unlikely 3 with 2.2 seconds left in OT to tie the game at 136.

However, it was the Pelicans’ mistakes that will be remembered by most people who watched this bizarre finish. Leading by three points with 7.7 seconds left in OT and possessing the ball, the Pellies were whistled for a five-second violation on the inbounds, giving the ball back to the Suns. When Jackson’s 3 tied it up, head coach Alvin Gentry called timeout … only New Orleans didn’t have one to spare.

The Pelicans were punished with a technical for calling a timeout they didn’t have, and Booker knocked down the go-ahead free throw with 1.1 seconds left. The Suns were able to inbound the ball to Jackson, who sank the first free throw after being fouled with 0.6 seconds left. He purposefully missed the second, and the Suns walked away with their gift-wrapped victory.