Game ID: 22500654
New Orleans Pelicans @ San Antonio Spurs
Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
SAS 28 19 21 27 95NOP 25 31 26 22 104
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 1/17 · 1 day's restOUT Vassell missed 9 since 12/31, out tonight
BACK Bryant back 1/13 after 2, 11 min since (101% of 11)
SAS availability going into 1/19 · 1 day's restOUT Vassell missed 10 since 12/31, out tonight
BACK Bryant back 1/13 after 2, 9 min since (87% of 11)
SAS availability going into 1/20 · back-to-backOUT Vassell missed 11 since 12/31, out tonight
OUT Sochan missed 2 since 1/17, out tonight
BACK Bryant back 1/13 after 2, 11 min since (99% of 11)
SAS availability going into 1/22 · 1 day's restOUT Vassell missed 12 since 12/31, out tonight
OUT Sochan missed 3 since 1/17, returns tonight: 4 min (28% of 13)
BACK Bryant back 1/13 after 2, 11 min since (99% of 11)
SAS availability going into 1/25 · 2 days' restOUT Vassell missed 13 since 12/31, returns tonight: 25 min (80% of 32)
BACK Sochan back 1/22 after 3, 4 min since (28% of 13)
SAS availability going into 1/28 · 2 days' restBACK Vassell back 1/25 after 13, 25 min since (80% of 32)
BACK Sochan back 1/22 after 3, 4 min since (28% of 13)
NEW Johnson 22 to 28 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 1/31 · 2 days' restOUT Sochan missed 2 since 1/25, out tonight
BACK Vassell back 1/25 after 13, 24 min since (76% of 32)
NEW Johnson 22 to 27 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 2/01 · back-to-backOUT Sochan missed 3 since 1/25, out tonight
BACK Vassell back 1/25 after 13, 26 min since (83% of 32)
SAS availability going into 2/04 · 2 days' restOUT Sochan missed 4 since 1/25, out tonight
BACK Vassell back 1/25 after 13, 26 min since (84% of 32)
NOP availability going into 1/16 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 5 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 13 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 5 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 39 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 4 since 1/09, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 3 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Bey back 1/13 after 6, 29 min since (93% of 31)
NEW McGowens 21 to 27 min over the last 4
NEW Peavy 15 to 22 min over the last 4
NOP availability going into 1/18 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 6 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 14 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 6 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 40 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Peavy missed 2 since 1/14, returns tonight: 22 min (147% of 15)
OUT Looney missed 5 since 1/09, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 4 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Bey back 1/13 after 6, 30 min since (96% of 31)
NOP availability going into 1/21 · 2 days' restOUT Jones missed 7 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 15 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 7 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 41 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 6 since 1/09, returns tonight: 10 min (69% of 15)
OUT Alexander missed 5 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Bey back 1/13 after 6, 30 min since (95% of 31)
BACK Peavy back 1/18 after 2, 22 min since (147% of 15)
NOP availability going into 1/23 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 8 since 1/07, returns tonight: 25 min (87% of 28)
OUT Murray missed 16 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 8 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 42 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 6 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Bey back 1/13 after 6, 30 min since (95% of 31)
BACK Peavy back 1/18 after 2, 24 min since (162% of 15)
BACK Looney back 1/21 after 6, 10 min since (69% of 15)
NEW Missi 20 to 26 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 1/25 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 17 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 9 since 1/07, returns tonight: 13 min (60% of 22)
OUT Jordan missed 43 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 2 since 1/21, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 7 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Jones back 1/23 after 8, 25 min since (87% of 28)
BACK Peavy back 1/18 after 2, 21 min since (143% of 15)
BACK Looney back 1/21 after 6, 10 min since (69% of 15)
NEW Missi 20 to 26 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 1/27 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 18 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT McGowens missed 2 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 44 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 2 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 3 since 1/21, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 8 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Jones back 1/23 after 8, 27 min since (93% of 28)
BACK Alvarado back 1/25 after 9, 13 min since (60% of 22)
BACK Peavy back 1/18 after 2, 21 min since (138% of 15)
NEW Missi 20 to 26 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 1/30 · 2 days' restOUT Murray missed 19 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 2 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT McGowens missed 3 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 45 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 3 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 4 since 1/21, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 9 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Jones back 1/23 after 8, 27 min since (93% of 28)
BACK Alvarado back 1/25 after 9, 17 min since (76% of 22)
BACK Peavy back 1/18 after 2, 19 min since (126% of 15)
NEW Missi 20 to 26 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 1/31 · back-to-backOUT Murray missed 20 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 3 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT McGowens missed 4 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 46 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 4 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 5 since 1/21, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 10 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Jones back 1/23 after 8, 27 min since (96% of 28)
BACK Alvarado back 1/25 after 9, 19 min since (85% of 22)
NOP availability going into 2/02 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 21 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 4 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT McGowens missed 5 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 47 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 5 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 6 since 1/21, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 11 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Jones back 1/23 after 8, 28 min since (99% of 28)
BACK Alvarado back 1/25 after 9, 18 min since (84% 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 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 111, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 27 and Fox at 20 a game. Without Vassell (13 straight). 2 days' rest. New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 120, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 27 free throws a game; Murphy III at 25 and Williamson at 20 a game. Without Murray (17 straight), Alvarado (9 straight), Jordan (43 straight). One day's rest.
So: San Antonio wins, and the game turns on the defense, San Antonio allowing 111 a night to New Orleans's 120 and the arc, San Antonio at 38 percent from three to New Orleans's 34. Call it San Antonio 121, New Orleans 113.
1/17 vs MIN 126-123 — SAS notes
SAS won 126-123. SAS shot 50% (47 of 94) to MIN's 47%, 15 of 38 from three. Wembanyama led with 39 (12 of 23, 4 of 9 from three, 11 of 14 at the line); Fox added 25, Johnson 20. The hinge was Q2, 48-22: SAS came in trailing by 1 and left it ahead by 25.
1/19 vs UTA 123-110 — SAS notes
SAS won 123-110. SAS shot 56% (44 of 79) to UTA's 40%, 16 of 38 from three. Wembanyama led with 33 (10 of 18, 7 of 12 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Castle added 18, Harper 15. The hinge was Q3, 35-23: a lead of 4 became 16, and the lead reached 24. Fox was the night's best plus/minus at +24.
1/20 @ HOU 106-111 — SAS notes
SAS lost 106-111. SAS took 22 more shots (105 to 83), fed by 14 offensive rebounds, but shot 39% to HOU's 52%, 14 of 50 from three, and got to the line 10 times to HOU's 22. SAS turned it over 9 times to HOU's 14. Champagnie led with 27 (8 of 17, 8 of 16 from three); Fox added 14, Wembanyama 14. Q1 was theirs, 39-28, but the other 3 periods went 83-67 against them. They led by as many as 16. Wembanyama's -14 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/22 @ UTA 126-109 — SAS notes
SAS won 126-109. SAS shot 51% (44 of 87) to UTA's 48%, 18 of 43 from three, and went to the line 24 times to UTA's 13 — 20 points from the stripe to their 11. SAS turned it over 10 times to UTA's 16. Fox led with 31 (10 of 13, 6 of 9 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Wembanyama added 26, Johnson 21. The hinge was Q2, 34-22: from level to 12 ahead, and the lead reached 17. Champagnie was the night's best plus/minus at +25.
1/25 vs NOP 95-104 — SAS notes
SAS lost 95-104. SAS shot 40% (32 of 81) to NOP's 40%, 12 of 44 from three, and went to the line 32 times to NOP's 17 — 19 points from the stripe to their 13. The glass went 46-58 against them. Wembanyama led with 16 (6 of 16, 2 of 10 from three, 2 of 6 at the line); Johnson added 15, Champagnie 13. Q4 was theirs, 27-22, the deficit cut from 14 to 9, but the other 3 periods went 82-68 against them. Castle's -19 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/28 @ HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Durant at 27 and Sengun at 21 a game. One day's rest. San Antonio comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 111, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 26 and Fox at 19 a game. 2 days' rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-4 a night and San Antonio minus-3 and the turnovers, Houston giving it away 15 times a game to San Antonio's 11. Call it Houston 115, San Antonio 112, San Antonio keeping it close.
1/31 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Charlotte comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 105, shooting 52 percent and 43 from three, 22 free throws a game; Miller at 24 and Ball at 17 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without Hall (11 straight). One day's rest. San Antonio comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 107, shooting 47 percent and 33 from three, 23 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 23 and Fox at 18 a game. 2 days' rest.
So: Charlotte wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-11 a night and San Antonio minus-3 and the arc, Charlotte at 43 percent from three to San Antonio's 33. Call it Charlotte 115, San Antonio 111, San Antonio keeping it close.
2/01 vs ORL — 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 109 a night and allowing 107, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 22 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 20 and Fox at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. Orlando comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 120, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Banchero at 28 and Bane at 23 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Fra. Wagner (20 straight), Bitadze (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: San Antonio wins, and the game turns on the defense, San Antonio allowing 107 a night to Orlando's 120 and the arc, Orlando at 37 percent from three to San Antonio's 32. Call it San Antonio 116, Orlando 111.
2/04 vs OKC — 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 110 a night and allowing 105, shooting 48 percent and 32 from three, 26 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 22 and Fox at 17 a game. 2 days' rest. OKC comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 105, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 25 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 27 and Holmgren at 15 a game. Without Jal. Williams (8 straight), Mitchell (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: San Antonio wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it San Antonio 112, OKC 111, OKC keeping it close.
1/16 @ IND 119-127 — NOP notes
NOP lost 119-127. NOP shot 50% (41 of 82) to IND's 51%, 13 of 31 from three, and went to the line 30 times to IND's 12 — 24 points from the stripe to their 8. Williamson led with 27 (10 of 12, 7 of 10 at the line); Murphy III added 22, Bey 20. Q1 was theirs, 33-31, but the other 3 periods went 96-86 against them. Poole's -14 in 17 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/18 @ HOU 110-119 — NOP notes
NOP lost 110-119. NOP shot 50% (44 of 88) to HOU's 50%, 10 of 26 from three, and got to the line 15 times to HOU's 22. Murphy III led with 21 (7 of 15, 3 of 8 from three); Williamson added 20, Queen 15. Q3 was theirs, 26-23, the deficit cut from 10 to 7, but the other 3 periods went 96-84 against them. Queen's -33 in 27 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/21 vs DET 104-112 — NOP notes
NOP lost 104-112. NOP shot 42% (36 of 86) to DET's 44%, 7 of 32 from three, and went to the line 30 times to DET's 24 — 25 points from the stripe to their 19. Bey led with 20 (4 of 12, 1 of 5 from three, 11 of 11 at the line); Murphy III added 17, Peavy 17. Q3 was theirs, 22-21, the deficit cut from 6 to 5, but the other 3 periods went 91-82 against them. Fears's -12 in 20 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/23 @ MEM 133-127 — NOP notes
NOP won 133-127. NOP shot 46% (46 of 99) to MEM's 49%, 13 of 36 from three, and went to the line 33 times to MEM's 22 — 28 points from the stripe to their 19. NOP turned it over 10 times to MEM's 19. Bey led with 36 (13 of 20, 6 of 9 from three); Murphy III added 32, Williamson 24. The hinge was Q4, 40-26: NOP came in trailing by 8 and left it ahead by 6. NOP trailed 60-65 at the half and won the second half 73-62. Williamson was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
1/25 @ SAS 104-95 — NOP notes
NOP won 104-95. NOP shot 40% (41 of 102) to SAS's 40%, 9 of 34 from three, and got to the line 17 times to SAS's 32. The glass went 58-46 for them. Bey led with 24 (7 of 15, 3 of 7 from three, 7 of 9 at the line); Williamson added 24, Murphy III 17. The hinge was Q2, 31-19: NOP came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 9, and the lead reached 20. Bey was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
1/27 @ OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 110, shooting 52 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 36 and Holmgren at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Jal. Williams (4 straight), Mitchell (2 straight), Hartenstein (15 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 116, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 25 free throws a game; Bey at 22 and Murphy III at 22 a game. Without Murray (18 straight), McGowens (2 straight), Jordan (44 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-1 a night and OKC minus-8 and the arc, OKC at 38 percent from three to New Orleans's 33. Call it OKC 121, New Orleans 110, OKC by 11.
1/30 vs MEM — 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 109 a night and allowing 111, shooting 42 percent and 29 from three, 23 free throws a game; Bey at 21 and Murphy III at 19 a game. Without Murray (19 straight), Poole (2 straight), McGowens (3 straight). 2 days' rest. Memphis comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 115, shooting 44 percent and 32 from three, 19 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 20 and Landale at 16 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Mashack (6 straight), Pippen Jr. (4 straight), Small (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Memphis giving it away 15 times a game to New Orleans's 12. Call it New Orleans 115, Memphis 113, Memphis keeping it close.
1/31 @ PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Embiid at 34 and Maxey at 25 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Grimes (2 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 109, shooting 42 percent and 27 from three, 26 free throws a game; Bey at 24 and Williamson at 19 a game. Without Murray (20 straight), Poole (3 straight), McGowens (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-2 a night and Philadelphia minus-10 and the arc, Philadelphia at 37 percent from three to New Orleans's 27. Call it Philadelphia 118, New Orleans 113.
2/02 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Charlotte comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 106, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 21 free throws a game; Miller at 25 and Ball at 17 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without Hall (12 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 111, shooting 42 percent and 31 from three, 24 free throws a game; Bey at 26 and Williamson at 20 a game. Without Murray (21 straight), Poole (4 straight), McGowens (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: Charlotte wins, and the game turns on the arc, Charlotte at 42 percent from three to New Orleans's 31 and the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-11 a night and New Orleans plus-1. Call it Charlotte 118, New Orleans 111.
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
KJ K. Johnson
LK L. Kornet
SC S. Castle
VW V. Wembanyama
NOPDQ D. Queen
HJ H. Jones
JA J. Alvarado
JF J. Fears
KM K. Matković
MP M. Peavy
SB S. Bey
TM T. Murphy III
YM Y. Missi
ZW Z. Williamson
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
Pelicans squander 20-point lead, rebound to beat Spurs 104-95
SAN ANTONIO -- — Saddiq Bey and Zion Williamson each had 24 points and 10 rebounds and the New Orleans Pelicans squandered a 20-point lead before rebounding to beat the San Antonio Spurs 104-95 on Sunday night.
San Antonio held a 24-5 advantage to open the fourth quarter, but New Orleans closed the game on a 17-3 run to avoid a season sweep by the Spurs.
Victor Wembanyama had 16 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks to lead San Antonio. Keldon Johnson added 15 points as the Spurs failed to capitalize on a double-digit rally.
New Orleans’ lead swelled to 19 points midway through the third quarter, leading San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson to sub out his entire starting lineup following a timeout.
The lineup change worked as San Antonio went on a 21-4 run bridging the third and fourth quarters. The Spurs scored 16 straight points to close the run.
Stephon Castle made the second of two free throws to put San Antonio up 93-89 with 4:39 remaining.
The Spurs were 19 for 32 on free throws, including missing their final four free throws with the Pelicans leading 98-93.
Trey Murphy III added 17 points, nine assists and six rebounds for New Orleans, which won its second straight.
The Spurs had their entire rotation available for the first time since Dec. 29 with Devin Vassell returning from a strained left adductor.
Vassell finished with 13 points in 25 minutes.
New Orleans closed the first half on a 19-8 run in taking a 56-47 lead.
Up next Timberwolves: At Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.