Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Pelicans
Yesterday at 03:00 AM
The Spurs head to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans
While the Victor Wembanyama news has put a damper on what fans were hoping was going to be a strong end to this season, it pales in comparison to what the New Orleans Pelicans have dealt with, both this season and in seasons past. At 13-43 they sit dead last in the Western Conference standings, slogging their way through a season that has seen them deal with a never-ending string of significant injuries to key players, with no clear hope in sight for the future. Former Spur Dejounte Murray, traded there in the offseason, tore his Achilles in late January. The Zion Williamson Experiment, now in its 6th year, looks to be going nowhere as well. Williamson, hyped as a transcendent athlete coming into the NBA, once again missed an extended period this season due to injury, and even though he's filled up the stat sheet since returning, there isn't a whole lot around him to field a competitive team. With Williamson's notorious injury history and the state of the Pelicans in general, sunnier days seem very far off for their fan base.
The Wembanyama news has been a dreadful gasp on a season that has had more than its share of ups and downs, but there is at least a sense that this is an isolated incident and he will make a full recovery. In the meantime for fans though, the feeling of what was a relatively hopeful campaign (even in spite of a horrible start to 2025) has shifted to indifference, with thoughts of ping pong balls and potential draft picks instead of a potential playoff spot. With 28 games remaining, San Antonio has a lot of time to evaluate the rest of the roster and take stock as they start preparing for Wemby's 3rd season, albeit significantly earlier than they originally hoped.
San Antonio Spurs (24-30) at New Orleans Pelicans (13-43)
February 23 2025 | 6:00 PM CT
Watch: FDSS | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Injuries: Victor Wembanyama, OUT,
Pelicans Injuries: Brandon Boston, ankle (day to day), Dejounte Murray, Achilles tear (OUT), Herb Jones, shoulder (OUT)
What to watch for
- Zion Williamson is averaging 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in 19 games this season while shooting 55% from the field. Williamson missed most of November and all of December with a left hamstring strain. He has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career, but there's no doubt that when he does play his unique combination of size and athleticism makes him a handful for any team to guard. He's just 24 years old and New Orleans has him under contract until the 2027-2028 season, but the fit between player and franchise has never seemed right since Williamson was drafted.
- Stephon Castle played just 13 minutes in the loss to the Detroit Pistons, a head scratching number to say the least. Castle, coming off a very succesful All Star weekend and arguably the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, needs all the reps he can get. This is even more true now that Wembanyama is finished for the season and there's little hope of the team making the playoffs. It makes very little sense for Chris Paul to be seeing more court time than the rookie, as was the case against Detroit.
- Devin Vassell has had moments this season, but he hasn't really taken the leap that many thought he could make. He did miss time in the offseason recovering from foot surgery and perhaps that has something to do with the kind of season he's had, but San Antonio would really like for him to get back to the level he played at last season when he averaged nearly 20 points a night on great shooting numbers. These last 28 games should go a long way in helping him learn to play alongside De'Aaron Fox, hopefully setting the stage for a bounceback year next season.
For the Pelicans fan's perspective, please visit The Bird Writes.
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