The San Antonio Spurs (28-38) held off the New Orleans Pelicans (18-50) for a 119-115 win on Saturday night, led by Devin Vassell’s 22-point performance.
Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes each scored 19 points, while rookie Stephon Castle added 17 for San Antonio. The Spurs played without Victor Wembanyama (blood clot in right shoulder) and De’Aaron Fox (left pinkie tendon damage).
C.J. McCollum paced the Pelicans with 26 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. He shot 5-for-12 from three-point range, including 4-for-5 in the second quarter when he scored 14 points. Trey Murphy III contributed 20 points.
New Orleans was without Zion Williamson, who missed the game due to personal reasons. Kelly Olynyk chipped in 14 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, including a highlight-reel scoop shot while avoiding a defender.
The Pelicans opened the second half on a 15-7 run to take their largest lead at 73-65, but the Spurs responded with a 25-8 surge to close the third quarter. Jeremy Sochan banked in a halfcourt buzzer-beater, giving San Antonio a 92-83 lead entering the final period.
With the Spurs ahead 113-111 in the final minutes, Johnson secured a crucial offensive rebound off Castle’s missed three-pointer. He found Vassell, who drilled a deep three to push the lead to 116-111 with just over a minute remaining.
The Spurs will look to build on their win as they continue their late-season push, while the Pelicans search for consistency with key players sidelined.
