The San Antonio Spurs (15-7) roll into New Orleans as overwhelming favorites against a reeling Pelicans squad (3-21) that’s lost six straight and sits dead last in the Western Conference with a league-worst -10.9 net rating. The Spurs, fresh off a deflating 130-117 road loss to Cleveland on Friday that snapped a three-game win streak, boast the West’s fourth-best record and a balanced attack led by De’Aaron Fox’s 25.0 PPG. Victor Wembanyama remains sidelined, but San Antonio’s depth (118.9 PPG, 3rd in NBA) and elite assists (25.8 APG, 2nd) should exploit New Orleans’ porous defense (123.2 Opp PPG, 30th). The Pelicans, hammered 119-101 by Brooklyn on Saturday, are decimated by injuries to Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, and Jordan Poole, forcing Trey Murphy III into a 35.6 MPG hero role (20.5 PPG). At Smoothie King Center, this Southwest Division tilt favors the Spurs extending their 3-0 H2H edge this season, but fatigue from a back-to-back could keep it closer than the line suggests.
Game Details
Tipoff: 8:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana (capacity: 17,850)
Broadcast: Gulf Coast Sports, FDSSW, NBA League Pass, Peacock
This Monday matchup tips off a quiet slate, with the Pelicans desperate to snap a three-game home skid (1-9 at Smoothie King) and the Spurs aiming to rebound on the second night of a road back-to-back (7-3 away). New Orleans’ faithful have endured just 105.2 PPG in home losses, but the decibels could spike if Herb Jones returns.
Injury Report
The Pelicans’ catastrophe continues with 120+ man-games lost, gutting their core and dropping output to 98.4 PPG without Williamson/Murray. San Antonio misses Wembanyama’s gravity but expects Castle/Kornet back, preserving their 118.9 PPG clip.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury | Estimated Return | Notes |
| San Antonio Spurs | Victor Wembanyama | C | Out | Calf (Left Strain) | December 10 | 26.2 PPG, 12.9 RPG force multiplier; full practice but held out—huge paint void. |
| San Antonio Spurs | Jordan McLaughlin | PG | Out | Hamstring (Left Strain) | December 10 | Depth guard; out since Nov. 7 (4.2 APG in limited role). |
| San Antonio Spurs | Stephon Castle | PG | Questionable (Probable) | Hip Flexor (Left) | December 8 | ROY candidate (32.0 MPG); missed 9 games but full practice—expected starter return. |
| San Antonio Spurs | Luke Kornet | C | Questionable (Probable) | Ankle | December 8 | 7.0 RPG off bench; missed Friday but optimistic per coach. |
| San Antonio Spurs | Harrison Ingram | SF | Out | G League Assignment | December 10 | Rookie depth; no major impact. |
| New Orleans Pelicans | Zion Williamson | PF | Out | Adductor/Thigh (Right Strain) | December 26 | 22.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG star; re-eval around Christmas—offensive engine absent. |
| New Orleans Pelicans | Dejounte Murray | PG | Out | Achilles (Right Rupture) | January 2, 2026 | 18.5 PPG, 6.4 APG table-setter; weeks away post-surgery. |
| New Orleans Pelicans | Jordan Poole | SG | Out | Quadriceps (Left Strain) | December 11 | 17.3 PPG spark; sidelined since Nov. 4—perimeter scoring hit. |
| New Orleans Pelicans | Herb Jones | SF | Questionable | Calf (Right Strain) | December 8 | Elite defender (1.7 SPG); missed 8 games but upgraded—key if active. |
| New Orleans Pelicans | Hunter Dickinson | C | Out | G League Two-Way | Indefinite | Rookie big; minimal NBA minutes. |
Impact: Pelicans’ absences crater spacing (34.9% 3PT, 20th) and creation (23.9 APG, 25th); Murphy shoulders 35+ MPG. Spurs sans Wemby lean on Fox’s drive (25.0 PPG), but Castle’s return bolsters backcourt.
Key Player Matchups
With New Orleans gutted, San Antonio’s pace (101.2 possessions, 8th) overwhelms—watch Fox isolations vs. depleted guards and Vassell’s shooting vs. thin wings. Spurs’ 49.0% FG exploits Pelicans’ 49.8% Opp FG allowed.
De’Aaron Fox (SAS, PG) vs. Jose Alvarado (NOP, PG): Fox (25.0 PPG, 6.5 APG, 49.2% FG) feasts on transition (1.4 SPG); Alvarado (defensive pest, 1.2 SPG) steps up sans Murray but undersized (6’0″). Fox’s burst wins. Edge: Fox.
Devin Vassell (SAS, SG) vs. Trey Murphy III (NOP, SF): Vassell (16.2 PPG, 40.1% 3PT) stretches floor; Murphy (20.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 36.3% 3PT) logs hero minutes but fatigued (-2.2 net lately). Vassell’s efficiency edges. Edge: Vassell.
Keldon Johnson (SAS, SF) vs. Naji Marshall (NOP, SF): Johnson (13.0 PPG, 57.3% FG inside) bullies mismatches; Marshall (versatile but 9.8 PPG) covers without Jones. Johnson’s volume (6.5 RPG) dominates. Edge: Johnson.
Harrison Barnes (SAS, PF) vs. Yves Missi (NOP, C): Barnes (12.9 PPG, 42.5% 3PT) spots up; Missi (rookie big, 10.0 RPG projected) protects rim sans Williamson. Barnes’ versatility tests. Edge: Even—Barnes’ range vs. Missi’s youth.
Projected Lineups (Subject to change):
Spurs: Fox-Vassell-Barnes-Johnson-Kornet (if active) | Castle-Champagnie-Sochan-Olynyk-Biyombo
Pelicans: Alvarado-Murphy-Marshall-Missi-Queen | McCollum (bench)-Jones (if active)-Nance-Hampton-Walker
Team Records and Standings
| Team | Record | Points Diff. | Off. Rtg | Def. Rtg | Home/Away | Division Rank |
| San Antonio Spurs | 15-7 | +4.4 | 118.9 (3rd) | 114.5 (15th) | 8-3 Home / 7-4 Away | 3rd Southwest |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 3-21 | -10.9 | 112.3 (24th) | 123.2 (30th) | 1-9 Home / 2-12 Away | 5th Southwest |
Spurs lead NBA in APG (25.8), rank 8th in pace; Pelicans 20th in 3PT% (34.9%), bottom-5 in net rating.
Recent Team Forms
San Antonio’s loss exposed third-quarter woes (19 PPG Friday), but their 7-3 L10 masks road resilience. New Orleans’ skid features blowouts (avg. -18.4 margin L5), with Murphy carrying 62% usage.
Spurs Last 5 Games (3-2):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 5 | @ CLE | L 117-130 | Vassell 28P; 19 3rd-Q pts, 15 TO. |
| Dec. 3 | @ ORL | W 114-112 | Fox 31P; Kornet block seals, 14/30 3PT. |
| Dec. 2 | vs. MEM | W 126-119 | Barnes 31P; 2nd-half surge (68 pts). |
| Nov. 30 | vs. MIN | L 112-125 | Fox 25P; outrebounded 48-38. |
| Nov. 28 | vs. HOU | W 139-136 | Vassell 35P; OT thriller, 16/35 3PT. |
Pelicans Last 5 Games (0-5):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 6 | @ BKN | L 101-119 | Murphy 23P; 8/28 3PT, 19 TO. |
| Dec. 4 | vs. MIN | L 116-125 | Murphy 21P; outshot 38-25 FTA. |
| Dec. 2 | vs. MIN | L 142-149 (OT) | Murphy 33P-15R; OT collapse. |
| Nov. 30 | @ LAL | L 121-133 | McGowens 23P; 13/26 3PT cold. |
| Nov. 29 | @ GSW | L 96-104 | Williamson 25P (limited); 7/30 3PT. |
Spurs 7-3 L10 (+6.2 net); Pelicans 1-9 L10 (-14.8 net).
Series History
These Southwest foes have met 87 regular-season times, with San Antonio holding a commanding 58-29 edge (66.7% win rate), outscoring New Orleans 10,120-9,456 all-time. Spurs lead at home (35-10) and on the road (27-23 vs. NOP). This season: Spurs 3-0, including 126-119 (Nov. 8) and 120-116 (Oct. 24). Recent: Spurs 4-1 L5, winning by avg. 7.2. Playoff history: Spurs 4-3 in 2008 WCSF. Avg. total: 218.4 points.
Betting Trends
Spread: Spurs -9.5 (-110); Pelicans +9.5 (-110) – SAS 0-1-1 as 9.5+ faves.
Total (O/U): 237.5 (Over -110; Under -110) – Over 6-4 L10 Spurs; 7-3 Over L10 Pelicans home.
Trends: Spurs 10-10-2 ATS (50%), 9-4 SU L13; Pelicans 0-5 SU L5, 4-1 ATS L5 dogs. H2H: Spurs 3-0 SU, Over 3-2.
Game Odds
San Antonio Spurs – 9.5
New Orleans Pelicans 236.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, December 7, 2025
