Game ID: 22400973
New Orleans Pelicans @ San Antonio Spurs
Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 8:30 PM ET
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
SAS 22 36 34 27 119NOP 23 35 25 32 115
NOP @ SAS ScoutingNOP @ SAS Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
SAS availability going into 3/09 · 1 day's restOUT Bassey missed 6 since 2/25, out tonight
SAS availability going into 3/10 · back-to-backOUT Bassey missed 7 since 2/25, out tonight
SAS availability going into 3/12 · 1 day's restOUT Bassey missed 8 since 2/25, out tonight
SAS availability going into 3/14 · 1 day's restOUT Bassey missed 9 since 2/25, out tonight
SAS availability going into 3/15 · back-to-backOUT Bassey missed 10 since 2/25, out tonight
SAS availability going into 3/17 · 1 day's restOUT Bassey missed 11 since 2/25, out tonight
SAS availability going into 3/19 · 1 day's restOUT Bassey missed 12 since 2/25, out tonight
NEW Wesley 12 to 17 min over the last 4
SAS availability going into 3/21 · 1 day's restOUT Bassey missed 13 since 2/25, out tonight
NEW Wesley 12 to 18 min over the last 4
SAS availability going into 3/23 · 1 day's restOUT Bassey missed 14 since 2/25, out tonight
NEW Wesley 12 to 18 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 3/08 · 1 day's restOUT Brooks Jr. missed 10 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Boston missed 11 since 2/10, not on tonight's roster
OUT Payton missed 41 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Reeves missed 3 since 3/02, out tonight
BACK Cain back 2/27 after 5, 9 min since (64% of 14)
NOP availability going into 3/09 · back-to-backOUT Brooks Jr. missed 11 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 42 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Reeves missed 4 since 3/02, returns tonight: 22 min (147% of 15)
NOP availability going into 3/11 · 1 day's restOUT Brooks Jr. missed 12 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 43 since 12/05, out tonight
BACK Reeves back 3/09 after 4, 22 min since (147% of 15)
NOP availability going into 3/13 · 1 day's restOUT Brooks Jr. missed 13 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 44 since 12/05, out tonight
BACK Reeves back 3/09 after 4, 22 min since (147% of 15)
NOP availability going into 3/15 · 1 day's restOUT Olynyk missed 2 since 3/11, returns tonight: 31 min (120% of 25)
OUT Brooks Jr. missed 14 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 45 since 12/05, out tonight
BACK Reeves back 3/09 after 4, 16 min since (105% of 15)
NOP availability going into 3/17 · 1 day's restOUT Missi missed 2 since 3/13, returns tonight: 22 min (81% of 27)
OUT Brooks Jr. missed 15 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 46 since 12/05, out tonight
BACK Olynyk back 3/15 after 2, 31 min since (120% of 25)
BACK Reeves back 3/09 after 4, 12 min since (83% of 15)
NEW Matković 19 to 25 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 3/19 · 1 day's restOUT Brooks Jr. missed 16 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 47 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 2 since 3/15, out tonight
BACK Missi back 3/17 after 2, 22 min since (81% of 27)
BACK Olynyk back 3/15 after 2, 27 min since (107% of 25)
BACK Reeves back 3/09 after 4, 14 min since (90% of 15)
NEW Matković 19 to 24 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 3/21 · 1 day's restOUT Brooks Jr. missed 17 since 2/12, returns tonight: 22 min (92% of 24)
OUT Payton missed 48 since 12/05, returns tonight: 12 min (56% of 22)
OUT Cain missed 3 since 3/15, out tonight
BACK Missi back 3/17 after 2, 24 min since (89% of 27)
BACK Olynyk back 3/15 after 2, 28 min since (110% of 25)
NOP availability going into 3/23 · 1 day's restOUT Cain missed 4 since 3/15, returns tonight: 13 min (97% of 14)
BACK Missi back 3/17 after 2, 25 min since (94% of 27)
BACK Olynyk back 3/15 after 2, 27 min since (105% of 25)
BACK Brooks Jr. back 3/21 after 17, 22 min since (92% of 24)
BACK Payton back 3/21 after 48, 12 min since (56% of 22)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
San Antonio comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 132, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Fox at 21 and Castle at 19 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 119, shooting 45 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 21 and Williamson at 20 a game. Without Olynyk (2 straight), Brooks Jr. (14 straight), Payton (45 straight). One day's rest.
So: San Antonio wins, and the game turns on the defense, New Orleans allowing 119 a night to San Antonio's 132 and the turnovers, New Orleans giving it away 15 times a game to San Antonio's 11. Call it San Antonio 120, New Orleans 116, New Orleans keeping it close.
3/09 @ MIN 124-141 — SAS notes
SAS lost 124-141. SAS shot 55% (47 of 85) to MIN's 56%, 11 of 30 from three, and went to the line 24 times to MIN's 15 — 19 points from the stripe to their 14. Fox led with 22 (8 of 12, 4 of 6 from three); Castle added 20, Barnes 15. Q2 was theirs, 31-31, but the other 3 periods went 110-93 against them. Fox's -23 in 27 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/10 vs DAL 129-133 — SAS notes
SAS lost 129-133. SAS shot 52% (49 of 94) to DAL's 53%, 17 of 41 from three, and got to the line 24 times to DAL's 30. Barnes led with 29 (12 of 14, 4 of 6 from three); Johnson added 28, Vassell 24. Q1 was theirs, 34-28, but the other 3 periods went 105-95 against them. Castle's -13 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/12 vs DAL 126-116 — SAS notes
SAS won 126-116. SAS shot 53% (50 of 94) to DAL's 56%, 11 of 35 from three. The glass went 47-31 for them. Fox led with 32 (12 of 25, 2 of 7 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Sochan added 18, Johnson 18. The hinge was Q2, 44-34: SAS came in trailing by 8 and left it ahead by 2, and the lead reached 15. Fox was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
3/14 vs CHA 134-145 — SAS notes
SAS lost 134-145. SAS took 10 more shots (95 to 85), fed by 17 offensive rebounds, but shot 51% to CHA's 60%, 21 of 46 from three. SAS turned it over 13 times to CHA's 18. Castle led with 26 (10 of 17, 3 of 7 from three); Vassell added 22, Sochan 14. Q4 was theirs, 39-24, the deficit cut from 26 to 11, but the other 3 periods went 121-95 against them. Sochan's -19 in 16 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/15 vs NOP 119-115 — SAS notes
SAS won 119-115. SAS shot 46% (39 of 84) to NOP's 50%, 16 of 39 from three, and went to the line 33 times to NOP's 11 — 25 points from the stripe to their 11. SAS turned it over 10 times to NOP's 15. The glass went 37-52 against them. Vassell led with 22 (6 of 17, 4 of 9 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Johnson added 19, Barnes 19. The hinge was Q3, 34-25: from level to 9 ahead. Champagnie was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
3/17 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 1-4 over their last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 115, shooting 44 percent and 39 from three, 20 free throws a game; Dončić at 34 and Reaves at 25 a game. Without James (4 straight), Hachimura (9 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. San Antonio comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 130, shooting 52 percent and 40 from three, 24 free throws a game; Fox at 23 and Vassell at 19 a game. One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Lakers allowing 115 a night to San Antonio's 130. Call it the Lakers 118, San Antonio 116, San Antonio keeping it close.
3/19 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
San Antonio comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 127, shooting 50 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Vassell at 20 and Castle at 18 a game. One day's rest. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 103, shooting 46 percent and 42 from three, 17 free throws a game; Towns at 24 and Bridges at 23 a game. Without Brunson (5 straight), Tucker (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 103 a night to San Antonio's 127 and the line, where San Antonio takes 22 free throws a game to New York's 17. Call it New York 117, San Antonio 114, San Antonio keeping it close.
3/21 vs PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
San Antonio comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 121, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 21 free throws a game; Castle at 19 and Vassell at 17 a game. One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 126, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Grimes at 33 and Dowtin Jr. at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 13 a night. Without Maxey (9 straight), Oubre Jr. (4 straight), Walker IV (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: San Antonio wins, and the game turns on the glass, where San Antonio has been plus-3 a night and Philadelphia minus-13 and the arc, San Antonio at 41 percent from three to Philadelphia's 34. Call it San Antonio 121, Philadelphia 114.
3/23 @ TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Toronto comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 115, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Barnes at 20 and Quickley at 19 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Barrett (3 straight), Rhoden (4 straight), Walter (7 straight). 2 days' rest. San Antonio comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 122, shooting 49 percent and 44 from three, 21 free throws a game; Castle at 21 and Vassell at 18 a game. One day's rest.
So: Toronto wins, and the game turns on the arc, San Antonio at 44 percent from three to Toronto's 36 and the turnovers, Toronto giving it away 17 times a game to San Antonio's 13. Call it Toronto 116, San Antonio 115, San Antonio keeping it close.
3/08 @ HOU 117-146 — NOP notes
NOP lost 117-146. NOP shot 48% (48 of 99) to HOU's 56%, 12 of 34 from three. Williamson led with 20 (10 of 19); McCollum added 17, Alvarado 17. Q4 was theirs, 34-37, but the other 3 periods went 109-83 against them. Williamson's -37 in 28 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/09 vs MEM 104-107 — NOP notes
NOP lost 104-107. NOP shot 41% (35 of 85) to MEM's 41%, 13 of 34 from three, and went to the line 27 times to MEM's 19 — 21 points from the stripe to their 12. The glass went 39-57 against them. Murphy III led with 27 (9 of 21, 2 of 9 from three, 7 of 9 at the line); Matković added 13, Olynyk 12. Q4 was theirs, 25-18, the deficit cut from 10 to 3, but the other 3 periods went 89-79 against them. They led by as many as 14. Murphy III's -26 in 37 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/11 vs LAC 127-120 — NOP notes
NOP won 127-120. NOP shot 55% (47 of 85) to LAC's 50%, 17 of 31 from three. NOP turned it over 19 times to LAC's 11, and LAC turned those into 10 steals. The glass went 46-34 for them. McCollum led with 23 (8 of 16, 5 of 9 from three); Williamson added 22, Murphy III 21. The hinge was Q1, 28-21: from level to 7 ahead, and the lead reached 21. Hawkins was the night's best plus/minus at +16.
3/13 vs ORL 93-113 — NOP notes
NOP lost 93-113. NOP shot 44% (35 of 79) to ORL's 52%, 7 of 25 from three. NOP turned it over 13 times to ORL's 8. Williamson led with 20 (8 of 15, 4 of 6 at the line); Murphy III added 17, Alvarado 12. Q3 was theirs, 27-20, the deficit cut from 30 to 23, but the other 3 periods went 93-66 against them. Matković's -30 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/15 @ SAS 115-119 — NOP notes
NOP lost 115-119. NOP took 8 more shots (92 to 84), fed by 12 offensive rebounds, but shot 50% to SAS's 46%, 12 of 35 from three, and got to the line just 11 times against 20 fouls committed. NOP turned it over 15 times to SAS's 10, and SAS turned those into 10 steals. The glass went 52-37 for them. McCollum led with 26 (10 of 22, 5 of 12 from three); Murphy III added 20, Brown 19. Q4 was theirs, 32-27, the deficit cut from 9 to 4, but the other 3 periods went 92-83 against them.
3/17 vs DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 121, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 19 free throws a game; Williamson at 21 and Murphy III at 20 a game. Without Missi (2 straight), Brooks Jr. (15 straight), Payton (46 straight). One day's rest. Detroit comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 28 free throws a game; Cunningham at 27 and Harris at 16 a game. Without Smith (6 straight), Harper Jr. (18 straight). One day's rest.
So: Detroit wins, on the road, and the game turns on the line, where Detroit takes 28 free throws a game to New Orleans's 19 and the defense, Detroit allowing 114 a night to New Orleans's 121. Call it Detroit 116, New Orleans 114, New Orleans keeping it close.
3/19 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 113, shooting 50 percent and 40 from three, 24 free throws a game; Edwards at 32 and Randle at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 117, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Williamson at 24 and Murphy III at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Brooks Jr. (16 straight), Payton (47 straight). One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Minnesota has been plus-5 a night and New Orleans minus-0 and the arc, Minnesota at 40 percent from three to New Orleans's 34. Call it Minnesota 120, New Orleans 108, Minnesota by 12.
3/21 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 112, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 28 free throws a game; Edwards at 33 and Randle at 18 a game. One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 119, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 20 free throws a game; Williamson at 25 and McCollum at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Brooks Jr. (17 straight), Payton (48 straight). One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the line, where Minnesota takes 28 free throws a game to New Orleans's 20 and the defense, Minnesota allowing 112 a night to New Orleans's 119. Call it Minnesota 119, New Orleans 109, Minnesota by 10.
3/23 @ DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Detroit comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 112, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Cunningham at 27 and Beasley at 13 a game. Without Smith (9 straight), Harper Jr. (21 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 122, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 21 free throws a game; Williamson at 26 and McCollum at 14 a game. One day's rest.
So: Detroit wins, and the game turns on the defense, Detroit allowing 112 a night to New Orleans's 122 and the arc, Detroit at 38 percent from three to New Orleans's 32. Call it Detroit 120, New Orleans 107, Detroit by 13.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
SASBB B. Biyombo
BW B. Wesley
CP C. Paul
DV D. Vassell
HB H. Barnes
JC J. Champagnie
JS J. Sochan
KJ K. Johnson
SC S. Castle
SM S. Mamukelashvili
NOPAR A. Reeves
BB B. Brown
CM C. McCollum
JA J. Alvarado
JH J. Hawkins
JR J. Robinson-Earl
KM K. Matković
KO K. Olynyk
MB M. Bamba
TM T. Murphy III
SAS/NOP the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Vassell scores 22 points and Spurs hold off Pelicans, who were without Williamson
SAN ANTONIO -- — Devin Vassell scored 22 points and the San Antonio Spurs held on to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 119-115 on Saturday night.
Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes each had 19 points for San Antonio and Stephon Castle added 17.
C.J. McCollum had 26 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for the Pelicans, who were without Zion Williamson . The team said the star power forward sat out because of personal reasons.
McCollum shot 5 for 12 on 3-pointers, including 4 for 5 while scoring 14 points in the second quarter. Trey Murphy III scored 20 points.
The Spurs were without Victor Wembanyama (blood clot in right shoulder) and De'Aaron Fox (left pinkie tendon damage).
New Orleans opened the second half on a 15-7 run to take their largest lead at 73-65. San Antonio responded by closing the third quarter on a 25-8 run.
Jeremy Sochan banked in a 3-pointer from halfcourt to give the Spurs a 92-83 lead entering the fourth.
Takeaways Pelicans: Kelly Olynyk shot 7 for 12 from the field, including a scoop shot he tossed in over his head while avoiding a defender's reach. He finished with 14 points, seven assists and six rebounds in 31 minutes.
Spurs: Veteran center Bismack Biyombo had two points and two rebounds in his 13th start in place of Wembanyama. Biyombo is averaging 5.0 points and 4.9 rebounds in March.
Key moment With the Spurs clinging to a 113-111 lead with 1:30 remaining, Johnson won a battle for the rebound of Castle's missed 3-pointer. Johnson passed it to Vassell, who drained a 3 from 26 feet to extend San Antonio's lead to 116-111 with 1:03 remaining.
Key stat San Antonio has 142 3-pointers in March, the most of any team. Boston is second with 139. The Celtics are 7-1 in March while the Spurs are 4-5.
Up next The Pelicans host Detroit on Monday, while the Spurs are at the Los Angeles Lakers that night.