Game ID: 22500366
San Antonio Spurs @ New Orleans Pelicans
Monday, December 8, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
NOP 25 32 45 30 132SAS 35 42 23 35 135
NOP vs SAS ScoutingNOP vs 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.
NOP availability going into 11/30 · back-to-backOUT Jones missed 4 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 13 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 16 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 6 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 19 since 10/24, returns tonight: 21 min (172% of 12)
BACK McGowens back 11/22 after 2, 19 min since (92% of 21)
BACK Looney back 11/29 after 2, 10 min since (71% of 15)
NEW Peavy 15 to 23 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/02 · 1 day's restOUT Murphy III missed 2 since 11/29, returns tonight: 41 min (115% of 36)
OUT Jones missed 5 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 14 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 17 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 7 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 2 since 11/29, returns tonight: 22 min (163% of 14)
BACK McGowens back 11/22 after 2, 22 min since (106% of 21)
BACK Looney back 11/29 after 2, 13 min since (88% of 15)
BACK Alexander back 11/30 after 19, 21 min since (172% of 12)
NEW Peavy 15 to 26 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/04 · 1 day's restOUT Williamson missed 2 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 6 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 15 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 18 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 8 since 11/19, returns tonight: 18 min (126% of 15)
BACK Murphy III back 12/02 after 2, 41 min since (115% of 36)
BACK Looney back 11/29 after 2, 12 min since (85% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/02 after 2, 22 min since (163% of 14)
BACK Alexander back 11/30 after 19, 16 min since (133% of 12)
NEW Alvarado 22 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Missi 20 to 26 min over the last 4
NEW Peavy 15 to 25 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/06 · 1 day's restOUT Williamson missed 3 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 7 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 16 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Missi missed 2 since 12/02, returns tonight: 18 min (89% of 20)
OUT Jordan missed 19 since 10/31, out tonight
BACK Murphy III back 12/02 after 2, 37 min since (105% of 36)
BACK Matković back 12/04 after 8, 18 min since (126% of 15)
BACK Looney back 11/29 after 2, 12 min since (85% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/02 after 2, 19 min since (141% of 14)
BACK Alexander back 11/30 after 19, 12 min since (101% of 12)
NEW Fears 26 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW McGowens 21 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Peavy 15 to 24 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/08 · 1 day's restOUT Williamson missed 4 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 8 since 11/22, returns tonight: 26 min (90% of 28)
OUT Poole missed 17 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 20 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 2 since 12/04, out tonight
BACK Murphy III back 12/02 after 2, 37 min since (103% of 36)
BACK Missi back 12/06 after 2, 18 min since (89% of 20)
BACK Matković back 12/04 after 8, 15 min since (99% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/02 after 2, 18 min since (129% of 14)
BACK Alexander back 11/30 after 19, 12 min since (101% of 12)
NEW Fears 26 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Alvarado 22 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW McGowens 21 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Peavy 15 to 23 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/11 · 2 days' restOUT Williamson missed 5 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 18 since 11/05, returns tonight: 26 min (108% of 24)
OUT Jordan missed 21 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 3 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 2 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Murphy III back 12/02 after 2, 37 min since (104% of 36)
BACK Jones back 12/08 after 8, 26 min since (90% of 28)
BACK Missi back 12/06 after 2, 13 min since (64% of 20)
BACK Matković back 12/04 after 8, 12 min since (83% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/02 after 2, 14 min since (103% of 14)
NEW Queen 25 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Alvarado 22 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW McGowens 21 to 28 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/14 · 2 days' restOUT Williamson missed 6 since 11/30, returns tonight: 27 min (90% of 30)
OUT Jordan missed 22 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 4 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 3 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Murphy III back 12/02 after 2, 36 min since (101% of 36)
BACK Jones back 12/08 after 8, 20 min since (71% of 28)
BACK Poole back 12/11 after 18, 26 min since (108% of 24)
BACK Missi back 12/06 after 2, 13 min since (65% of 20)
BACK Matković back 12/04 after 8, 9 min since (64% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/02 after 2, 12 min since (85% of 14)
NEW Queen 25 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW McGowens 21 to 28 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/18 · 3 days' restOUT Jordan missed 23 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 5 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 4 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 12/14 after 6, 27 min since (90% of 30)
BACK Jones back 12/08 after 8, 20 min since (70% of 28)
BACK Poole back 12/11 after 18, 27 min since (111% of 24)
BACK Missi back 12/06 after 2, 12 min since (63% of 20)
BACK Matković back 12/04 after 8, 10 min since (68% of 15)
NOP availability going into 12/20 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 24 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Peavy missed 2 since 12/14, returns tonight: 15 min (97% of 15)
OUT Looney missed 6 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 2 since 12/14, returns tonight: 3 min (21% of 14)
OUT Alexander missed 5 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 12/14 after 6, 24 min since (81% of 30)
BACK Jones back 12/08 after 8, 25 min since (86% of 28)
BACK Poole back 12/11 after 18, 26 min since (108% of 24)
BACK Missi back 12/06 after 2, 11 min since (57% of 20)
NEW Queen 25 to 31 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 11/30 · 1 day's restOUT Castle missed 5 since 11/18, out tonight
OUT Wembanyama missed 6 since 11/16, out tonight
BACK Harper back 11/26 after 10, 16 min since (67% of 24)
NEW Barnes 22 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Kornet 19 to 26 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 12/02 · 1 day's restOUT Castle missed 6 since 11/18, out tonight
OUT Wembanyama missed 7 since 11/16, out tonight
BACK Harper back 11/26 after 10, 17 min since (73% of 24)
NEW Barnes 22 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Kornet 19 to 26 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 12/03 · back-to-backOUT Castle missed 7 since 11/18, out tonight
OUT Wembanyama missed 8 since 11/16, out tonight
BACK Harper back 11/26 after 10, 18 min since (76% of 24)
NEW Barnes 22 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Kornet 19 to 27 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 12/05 · 1 day's restOUT Castle missed 8 since 11/18, out tonight
OUT Wembanyama missed 9 since 11/16, out tonight
BACK Harper back 11/26 after 10, 19 min since (80% of 24)
NEW Barnes 22 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Kornet 19 to 27 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 12/08 · 2 days' restOUT Castle missed 9 since 11/18, returns tonight: 23 min (75% of 31)
OUT Wembanyama missed 10 since 11/16, out tonight
NEW Barnes 22 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Kornet 19 to 27 min over the last 4
NEW Sochan 13 to 18 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 12/10 · 1 day's restOUT Wembanyama missed 11 since 11/16, out tonight
BACK Castle back 12/08 after 9, 23 min since (75% of 31)
NEW Barnes 22 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Kornet 19 to 26 min over the last 4
SAS availability going into 12/13
OUT Wembanyama missed 12 since 11/16, tonight's box is missing
BACK Castle back 12/08 after 9, 25 min since (81% of 31)
NEW Barnes 22 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Kornet 19 to 29 min over the last 4
SAS availability going into 12/18 · 4 days' restOUT Wembanyama missed 12 since 11/16, returns tonight: 17 min (57% of 30)
BACK Castle back 12/08 after 9, 25 min since (81% of 31)
NEW Barnes 22 to 32 min over the last 4
NEW Kornet 19 to 29 min over the last 3
SAS availability going into 12/19 · back-to-backBACK Castle back 12/08 after 9, 25 min since (81% of 31)
BACK Wembanyama back 12/18 after 12, 17 min since (57% of 30)
NEW Barnes 22 to 29 min over the last 4
NEW Kornet 19 to 27 min over the last 3
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 126, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 27 free throws a game; Murphy III at 26 and Bey at 21 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Williamson (4 straight), Jones (8 straight), Poole (17 straight). One day's rest. San Antonio comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 124, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 26 free throws a game; Fox at 25 and Vassell at 22 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Castle (9 straight), Wembanyama (10 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: San Antonio wins, on the road, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it San Antonio 121, New Orleans 118, New Orleans keeping it close.
11/30 @ LAL 121-133 — NOP notes
NOP lost 121-133. NOP shot 51% (46 of 91) to LAL's 48%, 13 of 26 from three, and got to the line 20 times to LAL's 39. McGowens led with 23 (9 of 18, 3 of 5 from three); Bey added 22, Fears 21. Q3 was theirs, 35-31, the deficit cut from 20 to 16, but the other 3 periods went 102-86 against them. Queen's -22 in 28 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/02 vs MIN 142-149 — NOP notes
NOP lost 142-149 in 1 overtime. NOP shot 55% (50 of 91) to MIN's 50%, 12 of 21 from three, and went to the line 35 times to MIN's 29 — 30 points from the stripe to their 25. Murphy III led with 33 (11 of 21, 4 of 8 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); Bey added 22, Queen 21. Q2 was theirs, 43-27, turning a 6-point deficit into a 10-point lead, but the other 4 periods went 122-99 against them. They led by as many as 15. Queen's -17 in 39 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/04 vs MIN 116-125 — NOP notes
NOP lost 116-125. NOP shot 45% (43 of 95) to MIN's 46%, 7 of 25 from three. NOP turned it over 12 times to MIN's 19. Murphy III led with 21 (7 of 17, 0 of 5 from three, 7 of 8 at the line); Fears added 20, Bey 20. Q2 was theirs, 32-27, the deficit cut from 5 to 0, but the other 3 periods went 98-84 against them. Alvarado's -16 in 22 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/06 @ BKN 101-119 — NOP notes
NOP lost 101-119. NOP shot 45% (37 of 82) to BKN's 53%, 9 of 25 from three, and went to the line 22 times to BKN's 14 — 18 points from the stripe to their 11. Murphy III led with 23 (10 of 17, 2 of 7 from three); Bey added 18, McGowens 16. Q4 was theirs, 26-23, the deficit cut from 21 to 18, but the other 3 periods went 96-75 against them. Murphy III's -25 in 35 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/08 vs SAS 132-135 — NOP notes
NOP lost 132-135. NOP shot 58% (51 of 88) to SAS's 50%, 7 of 26 from three. The glass went 33-43 against them. Queen led with 33 (11 of 15, 11 of 13 at the line); Murphy III added 32, Bey 17. Q3 was theirs, 45-23, turning a 20-point deficit into a 2-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 112-87 against them. Peavy's -20 in 13 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/11 vs POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 132, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 26 free throws a game; Murphy III at 27 and Bey at 20 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Williamson (5 straight), Poole (18 straight), Jordan (21 straight). 2 days' rest. Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 119, shooting 43 percent and 35 from three, 32 free throws a game; Avdija at 27 and Grant at 21 a game. Without Holiday (12 straight), Clingan (2 straight), Henderson (24 straight). 3 days' rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the defense, Portland allowing 119 a night to New Orleans's 132 and the glass, where Portland has been plus-1 a night and New Orleans minus-6. Call it New Orleans 121, Portland 120, Portland keeping it close.
12/14 @ CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Chicago comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 121, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; Giddey at 21 and White at 18 a game. Without Huerter (4 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 130, shooting 51 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Murphy III at 27 and Bey at 18 a game. Without Williamson (6 straight), Jordan (22 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Chicago giving it away 16 times a game to New Orleans's 11 and the defense, Chicago allowing 121 a night to New Orleans's 130. Call it Chicago 121, New Orleans 120, New Orleans keeping it close.
12/18 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 121, shooting 49 percent and 30 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 24 and Bey at 16 a game. Without Jordan (23 straight). 3 days' rest. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 111, shooting 52 percent and 40 from three, 21 free throws a game; Sengun at 28 and Durant at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 15 a night. Without Eason (12 straight), Finney-Smith (23 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-15 a night and New Orleans plus-0 and the arc, Houston at 40 percent from three to New Orleans's 30. Call it Houston 119, New Orleans 116, New Orleans keeping it close.
12/20 vs IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 121, shooting 50 percent and 33 from three, 24 free throws a game; Murphy III at 25 and Bey at 18 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Jordan (24 straight), Peavy (2 straight). One day's rest. Indiana comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 109, shooting 44 percent and 36 from three, 20 free throws a game; Siakam at 23 and Nembhard at 20 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Nesmith (15 straight), Sheppard (5 straight), Toppin (24 straight). One day's rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the defense, Indiana allowing 109 a night to New Orleans's 121 and the glass, where New Orleans has been minus-2 a night and Indiana minus-7. Call it New Orleans 118, Indiana 115, Indiana keeping it close.
11/30 @ MIN 112-125 — SAS notes
SAS lost 112-125. SAS shot 52% (44 of 84) to MIN's 56%, 8 of 33 from three, and went to the line 19 times to MIN's 13 — 16 points from the stripe to their 10. Fox led with 25 (10 of 15, 2 of 4 from three); Vassell added 22, Johnson 22. Q1 was theirs, 37-32, but the other 3 periods went 93-75 against them. They led by as many as 10. Champagnie's -19 in 25 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/02 vs MEM 126-119 — SAS notes
SAS won 126-119. SAS shot 46% (42 of 92) to MEM's 50%, 18 of 39 from three, and went to the line 31 times to MEM's 24 — 24 points from the stripe to their 20. SAS turned it over 6 times to MEM's 15. The glass went 40-50 against them. Barnes led with 31 (10 of 20, 7 of 12 from three); Fox added 29, Harper 15. The hinge was Q4, 29-21: SAS came in trailing by 1 and left it ahead by 7. Johnson was the night's best plus/minus at +13.
12/03 @ ORL 114-112 — SAS notes
SAS won 114-112. SAS shot 46% (42 of 91) to ORL's 45%, 13 of 38 from three. SAS turned it over 19 times to ORL's 10, and ORL turned those into 11 steals. Fox led with 31 (11 of 20, 3 of 7 from three, 6 of 9 at the line); Harper added 16, Vassell 15. The hinge was Q2, 27-20: a lead of 2 became 9, and the lead reached 15. Kornet was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
12/05 @ CLE 117-130 — SAS notes
SAS lost 117-130. SAS shot 45% (42 of 93) to CLE's 58%, 15 of 43 from three. The glass went 38-48 against them. Vassell led with 28 (8 of 16, 7 of 13 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Fox added 25, Johnson 14. Q1 was theirs, 35-30, but the other 3 periods went 100-82 against them. They led by as many as 10. Champagnie's -22 in 35 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/08 @ NOP 135-132 — SAS notes
SAS won 135-132. SAS shot 50% (49 of 98) to NOP's 58%, 17 of 36 from three. The glass went 43-33 for them. Barnes led with 24 (9 of 15, 4 of 7 from three); Harper added 22, Castle 18. The hinge was Q1, 35-25: from level to 10 ahead, and the lead reached 25.
12/10 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 120, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 27 free throws a game; Dončić at 34 and Reaves at 28 a game. Without Smart (6 straight). 2 days' rest. San Antonio comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 124, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; Fox at 25 and Vassell at 16 a game. Without Wembanyama (11 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it the Lakers 120, San Antonio 117, San Antonio keeping it close.
12/13 @ OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 130 a night and allowing 106, shooting 56 percent and 46 from three, 23 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 31 and Holmgren at 21 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Hartenstein (6 straight), Joe (3 straight). 2 days' rest. San Antonio comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 122, shooting 47 percent and 41 from three, 28 free throws a game; Fox at 24 and Barnes at 18 a game. Without Wembanyama (12 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 106 a night to San Antonio's 122 and the arc, OKC at 46 percent from three to San Antonio's 41. Call it OKC 124, San Antonio 113, OKC by 11.
12/18 vs WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
San Antonio comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 122, shooting 47 percent and 41 from three, 28 free throws a game; Fox at 24 and Barnes at 18 a game. Without Wembanyama (12 straight). 4 days' rest. Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 123, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 27 free throws a game; McCollum at 21 and Carrington at 14 a game. Without Sarr (6 straight), Coulibaly (4 straight), Middleton (3 straight). 3 days' rest.
So: San Antonio wins, and the game turns on the arc, San Antonio at 41 percent from three to Washington's 35 and the turnovers, Washington giving it away 16 times a game to San Antonio's 12. Call it San Antonio 125, Washington 114, San Antonio by 11.
12/19 @ ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Atlanta comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 128, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Johnson at 25 and Alexander-Walker at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Porziņģis (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. San Antonio comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 117, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 26 free throws a game; Castle at 22 and Fox at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: San Antonio wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, San Antonio allowing 117 a night to Atlanta's 128 and the line, where San Antonio takes 26 free throws a game to Atlanta's 21. Call it San Antonio 121, Atlanta 120, Atlanta keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
SASCB C. Bryant
DF D. Fox
DH D. Harper
DV D. Vassell
HB H. Barnes
JC J. Champagnie
JS J. Sochan
KJ K. Johnson
KO K. Olynyk
LK L. Kornet
SC S. Castle
NOPBM B. McGowens
DQ D. Queen
HJ H. Jones
JA J. Alvarado
JF J. Fears
JH J. Hawkins
KM K. Matković
MP M. Peavy
MA Matkovic
SB S. Bey
TM T. Murphy III
YM Y. Missi
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
Spurs spoil Queen's first triple-double and hold on to beat the Pelicans 135-132
NEW ORLEANS -- — Harrison Barnes scored 24 points, rookie Dylan Harper capped a 22-point performance with a go-ahead driving floater with 9 seconds left, and the San Antonio Spurs recovered from losing a 20-point halftime lead to beat the reeling New Orleans Pelicans 135-132 on Monday night.
Rookie Derik Queen led a furious Pelicans comeback bid, scoring 29 of his season-high 33 points in the second half, and adding 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his first NBA triple-double.
De'Aaron Fox , who scored 14 points, hit two free throws with 1.1 seconds left for the final margin, which stood after Saddiq Bey 's rushed 3-point shot at the horn bounced off the front rim.
Stephon Castle scored 18 points for San Antonio and Julian Champagnie added 17 points, highlighted by his five 3s.
Both teams' biggest stars — the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama (left calf) and the Pelicans' Zion Williamson (right hip adductor) — watched from the bench. But their teammates provided plenty of entertainment.
Trey Murphy scored 32 for the Pelicans, who stunningly scored 45 points in the third quarter to turn a 20-point deficit into a 102-100 lead heading into the final quarter.
Herb Jones, returning from a right calf injury that sidelined him for eight games, scored 17 points and Bey also scored 17 in New Orleans' seventh straight loss.
The Pelicans opened the second half with an 11-0 run. After Murphy dunked for the third time in the first 6:31 of the third quarter, New Orleans had outscored San Antonio 28-10 and trailed just 87-85.
Queen scored 21 in the period, and his free throws gave the Pelicans a 91-90 lead, their first since the middle of the first quarter.
The Spurs hit 11 3s in the first half, six of them during a 42-point second quarter that gave San Antonio a 77-57 lead at halftime.
The Spurs' first-half point total was their most in any half this season.
Up next Spurs: Visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.