A 20-point lead nearly became a catastrophic collapse before the New Orleans Pelicans steadied their nerves and held on for a 104-95 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night, January 25, 2026 — and the New Orleans Pelicans Vs San Antonio Spurs Match Player Stats reflected a game of enormous momentum swings that ultimately swung in the visitors’ favour.
Saddiq Bey and Zion Williamson shared top billing for New Orleans, each finishing with 24 points and 10 rebounds in a balanced double-double performance that gave the Pelicans the individual quality needed to weather a ferocious San Antonio comeback.
The result prevented a season sweep by the Spurs and gave the Pelicans back-to-back wins in what had been a difficult stretch.
Trey Murphy III added 17 points, nine assists and six rebounds in a multidimensional showing that highlighted his growing role as a secondary creator for New Orleans.
New Orleans Pelicans Vs San Antonio Spurs Match Player Stats: Spurs Stage Extraordinary Fourth-Quarter Rally
The Pelicans built a commanding lead through the first three quarters, with their advantage swelling to 19 points midway through the third period.
Mitch Johnson, the Spurs head coach, responded by substituting his entire starting lineup following a timeout — and the move transformed the game.
San Antonio went on a 21-4 run bridging the third and fourth quarters, including a 16-point scoring streak that gave the Spurs a 93-89 lead with 4:39 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The momentum had shifted so dramatically that a Pelicans capitulation appeared likely.
What halted the Spurs’ charge, however, was an inability to convert at the free throw line.
San Antonio finished 19-for-32 from the charity stripe for the game and, crucially, missed their final four free throws with New Orleans leading 98-93.
That failure allowed the Pelicans to close out the game on a 17-3 run — turning what looked like a historic collapse into a narrow but deserved victory.
Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio with 16 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks — a statline that underlined his continued dominance as a defensive force even on a night when the Spurs fell short.
Spurs’ Vassell Returns But Free Throw Woes Prove Costly
The game marked the first time San Antonio had their full rotation available since December 29, with Devin Vassell returning from a strained left adductor.
Vassell contributed 13 points across 25 minutes on his comeback — a useful addition to a Spurs team that has struggled for depth at various points of the season.
Keldon Johnson added 15 points for San Antonio, but the Spurs’ inability to execute at the line when the game was in the balance proved the decisive factor.
New Orleans closed the first half strongly, ending the second quarter on a 19-8 run to lead 56-47 at the break.
That burst set the platform for what should have been a comfortable Pelicans victory, though the nature of San Antonio’s comeback turned it into a far more dramatic affair.
For the Pelicans, the win moved them to back-to-back victories and provided evidence that when healthy and focused across 48 minutes, this roster has the quality to compete with Western Conference opponents regardless of home advantage.
Box Score Summary
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Pelicans | — | 56 (H) | — | — | 104 |
| San Antonio Spurs | — | 47 (H) | — | — | 95 |
New Orleans Pelicans Player Stats
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saddiq Bey | 24 | 10 | — | Double-double |
| Zion Williamson | 24 | 10 | — | Double-double |
| Trey Murphy III | 17 | 6 | 9 | Near triple-double |
San Antonio Spurs Player Stats
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | BLK | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Wembanyama | 16 | 16 | — | 4 | Double-double |
| Keldon Johnson | 15 | — | — | — | — |
| Stephon Castle | — | — | — | — | Key FT in Q4 |
| Devin Vassell | 13 | — | — | — | Season return |
Team Stats Comparison
| Stat | New Orleans Pelicans | San Antonio Spurs |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 104 | 95 |
| Free Throws Made | — | 19 |
| Free Throw Attempts | — | 32 |
| Largest Lead | 20+ | 4 pts (Q4) |
| Q3-Q4 Run Allowed | 21-4 | — |
| Closing Run | 17-3 | — |
