The New Orleans Pelicans cruised to a commanding victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night, winning 114-96 and showcasing their strength on the boards and solid defensive play.
Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 22 points and 9 rebounds, alongside Kelly Olynyk, who contributed 14 points and dominated the glass with 15 rebounds. This performance helped the Pelicans improve their record to 14-43 for the season, showcasing their resilience during this challenging campaign.
Meanwhile, the Spurs faced another tough outing, dropping to 24-31. Keldon Johnson and Julian Champagnie each scored 18 points for San Antonio, with Champagnie tying his career-high by sinking six three-pointers. Despite these efforts, the team could not find the momentum they needed to compete with the Pelicans.
The game marked another disappointment for the Spurs, who are currently on their "Rodeo Trip" and now stand at 3-6 during this extended road trip. Head Coach Mitch Johnson expressed his frustration post-game, saying, "Knee jerk reaction. I'll have to go back and watch it. Obviously, I think the rebounding is obviously a little bit disproportionate just because of how many shots we missed. They had 17 offensive rebounds, which is not anywhere where we want to be, but we had thirteen." Johnson emphasized the need for his team to regroup as they look to find solutions to their struggles.
Another focal point of the game was the absence of Spurs' center Victor Wembanyama due to deep vein thrombosis, leaving the team sorely lacking frontcourt depth. This was evident as the Spurs attempted to navigate the game without their star player. Bismack Biyombo received the start at center and faced immense pressure throughout the game, with Johnson remarking on the challenges presented by their current roster limitations.
First-year player Charles Bassey also faced setbacks, leaving the game early due to patellar tendon soreness. Bassey's absence was felt, particularly as the Spurs struggled to find consistency, underscoring the team's pressing need for reinforcements. Aiming to keep his spirits high, Bassey finished with 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals during his brief time on the court.
Post-game reflections from players indicated the Spurs' recognition of their shortcomings. Champagnie stated, "Now it's time to hunker down and figure it out. Whether the team goes out to dinner, gets in the gym more, or discusses it more, we have to figure something out." This desire to come together and improve suggests positivity amid disappointing outcomes.
On the other side, Pelicans head coach Willie Green praised his team’s defensive effort, saying, "Our defense was really solid tonight. I thought we did a great job. The big sort of emphasis of the season has been finishing possessions. I thought we did a great job of doing just this tonight, having close to 70 rebounds." This statement not only highlighted their rebounding dominance but also reinforced their strategic focus moving forward.
The Pelicans had managed to secure the win with impressive teamwork and strategic execution, echoing the importance of these aspects as they look to build on this performance for upcoming games. With the season winding down, each victory helps to solidify their foundation for the challenges of next year.
Despite the loss, Chris Paul remained optimistic about the Spurs' potential. He said, "The good thing about this league, for the most part, until you get to the last game of the season or the playoffs, there is always another game. This is like a playoff series where we are playing again, so we’ve got to flush this one and get ready for the next one.” Meanwhile, the Pelicans are hoping to carry this momentum as they move forward.
Both teams are set to face off once more on Monday night. The Spurs will look to rebound quickly from this tough loss, hoping to discover the chemistry needed to excel without Wembanyama, facing their opponents again so soon. The Pelicans, buoyed by their recent success, will aim to capitalize on their strengths, presenting another challenging battle.