The New Orleans Pelicans fell in a nail-biter against the San Antonio Spurs, 121-116, on Sunday night, despite a valiant fourth-quarter surge. The Pelicans erased a late 14-point deficit with a thrilling 13-0 run, capped by clutch baskets from Trey Murphy III, who finished with a team-high 25 points.
However, Victor Wembanyama’s cold-blooded 3-pointer with 37 seconds left, off a historic assist from Chris Paul, sealed New Orleans’ fate. The game showcased flashes of brilliance from the Pelicans’ starting lineup, which combined for 92 points, but critical turnovers and missed opportunities in the closing moments proved costly. C.J. McCollum added 19 points, while Dejounte Murray stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points and 11 assists, anchoring New Orleans in key stretches.
The loss overshadowed what was otherwise a competitive and inspiring effort for the Pelicans, who were eager to capitalize on their depth and offensive firepower. Unfortunately, their defensive lapses and inability to contain the Spurs’ relentless attack in crunch time became the difference.
Chris Paul’s milestone night—moving into second place on the NBA’s all-time assists list—was a reminder of how precision passing can dictate outcomes, particularly when paired with Wembanyama’s 25-point performance. The Pelicans now turn their attention to a tough home matchup against Sacramento on Thursday, where they’ll aim to refine their late-game execution and bounce back from this frustrating defeat.
