The San Antonio Spurs edged the New Orleans Pelicans with a narrow victory of 119-115 on the night of March 15, 2025, leaving fans on the edge of their seats as San Antonio showcased resilience against their declining league rivals.
Devin Vassell proved pivotal for the Spurs, leading the scoring frenzy with 22 points. Meanwhile, Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes rounded off the offensive force, each contributing 19 points. Signing off the evening for San Antonio was the promising rookie, Stephon Castle, who added 17 points to the scoreboard, highlighting the team's depth and showing flashes of potential for the future.
The Pelicans, on the other hand, were led by C.J. McCollum, who delivered by netting 26 points along with nine assists and seven rebounds. Despite his dominant performance, New Orleans struggled, having to face the night without their star forward, Zion Williamson, who was absent for personal reasons.
New Orleans kicked off the second half strong, embarking on a swift 15-7 run, which propelled them to their largest lead of the game at 73-65. This surge demonstrated the Pelicans' capacity to rally under pressure, but unfortunately, it was not enough to maintain their momentum.
San Antonio displayed tenacity as they clawed back, closing the third quarter with a impressive 25-8 run, thanks to Jeremy Sochan’s electrifying halfcourt 3-pointer, which put the Spurs up 92-83 heading int the final frame. That moment proved to be not only pivotal for the game's momentum but also showed off the Spurs’ capabilities on the three-point line, as the team has posted 142 three-pointers throughout March—more than any other team this month, with Boston trailing closely.
The closing moments of the game unfolded with intense drama. With the Spurs clinging to a narrow 113-111 lead and less than two minutes remaining, Johnson snatched the rebound from Castle's missed shot. The pivotal play led to Vassell stepping back to drain a 3-pointer from 26 feet, extending San Antonio's lead to 116-111 with just over a minute left—an electrifying moment for the Spurs fans, who were eager for their team to secure the win.
While the Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk had himself quite the night, scoring 14 points, providing seven assists, and pulling down six rebounds, it wasn't enough to inspire New Orleans back to triumph. McCollum's shooting prowess included hitting 5 of 12 from behind the arc, including four 3-pointers during the second quarter, embodying the offensive drive the team desperately needed.
Both teams were also challenged by absences. The Spurs noted the absence of Victor Wembanyama due to blood clot issues and De'Aaron Fox, who is recovering from tendon damage, making their victory even more remarkable against the Pelicans.
The game left San Antonio with mixed feelings as they look to build upon their performance this season. Following the victory, the Spurs will travel to face the Los Angeles Lakers, aiming to build on this win come March 17, 2025, as the Pelicans prepare to host the Detroit Pistons the same evening.
With tonight's match marking yet another step as the Spurs attempt to regroup from previous disappointments, the energy and spirit displayed against the Pelicans could symbolize renewed hope for the team. Meanwhile, fans eagerly anticipate whether they can capitalize on this momentum against tougher opponents looming on their schedule.