The New Orleans Pelicans found themselves in yet another uphill battle, falling to the San Antonio Spurs 119-115 on Saturday night. With Zion Williamson absent due to personal reasons, the Pelicans leaned heavily on C.J. McCollum, who delivered a stellar performance with 26 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds.
Despite McCollum’s sharp shooting and Trey Murphy III’s 20-point contribution, New Orleans couldn’t maintain their momentum after a strong third-quarter surge. The Pelicans took their largest lead at 73-65 early in the second half but were derailed by San Antonio’s blistering 25-8 run to close the third quarter, punctuated by Jeremy Sochan’s improbable half-court buzzer-beater.
The game slipped away in the final minutes, as San Antonio capitalized on crucial second-chance opportunities. Devin Vassell’s dagger three-pointer with just over a minute left sealed the Spurs’ victory, underscoring the Pelicans’ struggles on the defensive glass.
While Kelly Olynyk added a solid 14 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, the absence of Zion’s commanding presence was glaring. The loss highlighted the team’s need for consistent execution down the stretch, particularly with a challenging stretch of games ahead.
As the Pelicans prepare to host the Detroit Pistons on Monday, they’ll aim to regroup and reignite their playoff push, banking on the hope of Zion’s timely return to the lineup.
