The San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans meet on Monday, December 8, at 8:00 PM ET at the Smoothie King Center. San Antonio enters the matchup with a 15-7 record and a one-game losing streak, while New Orleans struggles at 3-21 with six consecutive losses.
San Antonio will be without Victor Wembanyama (left calf strain) and Jordan McLaughlin (left hamstring strain), while Stephon Castle (left hip flexor strain) and Luke Kornet (left ankle soreness) are listed as questionable. G League players Harrison Ingram and Riley Minix will not be active.
Wembanyama, averaging 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game, is a major loss for the Spurs’ inside presence.
Statistically, the Spurs’ backcourt of De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell will need to shoulder additional responsibility. Fox is contributing 25 points and 6.5 assists per game, while Vassell adds 16.2 points per contest.
The Pelicans face significant setbacks with Dejounte Murray (right Achilles rupture), Jordan Poole (left quad strain), and Zion Williamson (right adductor strain) all out. Herbert Jones (right calf strain) is questionable, while Hunter Dickinson (G League two-way) remains inactive.
Williamson, who averages 22.1 points and 5.6 rebounds, is a cornerstone of New Orleans’ offense, and his absence further limits the team’s scoring options.
New Orleans relies heavily on Trey Murphy III and Saddiq Bey for scoring in the absence of Murray, Poole, and Williamson. Murphy averages 20.5 points per game, while Bey contributes 14.2 points. Rookie Jeremiah Fears adds 15.8 points and 3.4 assists.
The Spurs have dominated this season’s head-to-head matchups, winning both games: a 120-116 overtime victory on October 24 and a 126-119 win on November 8.
