CJ McCollum led the way with 29 points, accompanied by Brandon Ingram’s 26, as the New Orleans Pelicans broke their franchise record by sinking 22 three-pointers in a dominant 146-110 victory over the San Antonio Spurs during the NBA’s Sunday slate.
This defeat adds to the Spurs’ challenging season, marking their fourth loss by 36 points or more. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich acknowledged the Pelicans’ exceptional shooting, contrasting with his team’s struggles. “We got whooped, real good,” he admitted.
“They had a great night shooting. We couldn’t throw it in the ocean,” Popovich said. “But on top of shooting well, they played very well. We weren’t as sharp as we needed to be and got whooped, real good.”
Victor Wembanyama was a standout for the Spurs, scoring 17 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, achieving his eighth consecutive double-double. This feat breaks the previous NBA record for a teenager set by Dwight Howard in 2005.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans, Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs Updates
Wembanyama’s performance came under the watchful eye of his childhood idol and mentor, former Spurs star Tony Parker, who was honored with a Hall of Fame designation at halftime.
The Pelicans’ response was relentless, maintaining their shooting accuracy throughout the game, with a notable 22 for 42 performance from the three-point line. This victory marks their fourth consecutive win following a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the In-Season Tournament semifinals.
Zion Williamson, who contributed 15 points, emphasized the importance of winning, “Winning cures everything,” he said.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans, Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs Updates
The Spurs, who recently ended an 18-game losing streak, continue to struggle with a 4-20 record, sitting just above the Detroit Pistons in the league standings. Wembanyama stressed the need for consistency despite the team’s youth.
“It might explain it, but it doesn’t mean it’s OK,” Wembanyama said. “We’re not trying to find any excuses. Any team’s goal is to try to be consistent. We’re underway, but there’s no excuses.”
The Pelicans initially struggled, missing their first five shots, including a missed dunk by Williamson, who later recovered to help steer the team to a comfortable lead. The Spurs have frequently faced large deficits this season, often unable to recover. New Orleans coach Willie Green focused on the team’s defensive efforts, “It starts with the defense for us,” he said.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans, Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs Updates
“Our mentality is to go out there and take care of our jobs,” Green said. “It starts with the defense for us, making sure we contest shots and finish possessions.”
Looking ahead, the Pelicans will host the Memphis Grizzlies, while the Spurs travel to face the Milwaukee Bucks, both games scheduled for Tuesday.
