Zion Williamson powers the Pelicans to a 114-96 comeback victory over the Spurs
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Zion Williamson had 22 points and nine rebounds and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 17-point deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs 114-96 on Sunday night to open a two-game set.
The teams will meet again in New Orleans on Tuesday night.
Kelly Olynyk had 14 points and 15 rebounds — his first double-double since the Toronto Raptors sent him to New Orleans as part of a trade for Brandon Ingram.
Rookie center Yves Missi grabbed career-high 15 rebounds, fellow rookie center Karlo Matkovic scored a career-high 19 points, wing Trey Murphy III scored 15 points and reserve guard Jose Alvarado added 12 points for the Pelicans. They've won two of their past three games since snapping a 10-gme skid just before the NBA All-Star break.
Julian Champagnie tied a career high with six 3s as he and Keldon Johnson each scored 18 points for San Antonio.
De'Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes each scored 13 points for the Spurs, who led 50-33 when Barnes hit a 3 with 5:07 left in the second quarter.
Takeaways
Spurs: San Antonio fell to 1-2 in three games since French star Victor Wembanyama was lost for the season because of a blood clot in his right shoulder.
Pelicans: When New Orleans woke up in the third quarter, they dominated, outscoring the Spurs 51-22 during the final 14:12 of the game. Meanwhile, rookie centers Missi and Matkovic combined for 25 points and 21 rebounds.
Williamson's layup as he was fouled by Johnson in the fourth quarter gave the Pelicans their first lead since the first quarter. The basket was part of a decisive 25-5 run — including a 15-2 run to open the fourth quarter — that put the Pelicans up for good at 88-79.
Key stat
Poor shooting doomed the Spurs, who went 32 of 97 (33%) overall and 15 of 51 (29.4%) from 3-point range.
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Chicago Tribune
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an hour ago
Woeful Rockies absorb 2 records for futility with 19 whiffs and worst 70-game mark in modern era
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Kevin Durant needs — no, deserves — a good final chapter. The 36-year-old all-time great, who is widely expected to be traded from the Phoenix Suns soon, and who spent so much of these past six NBA seasons dealing with adversity not of his own doing, deserves to spend these twilight years in a place where his extraordinary skills are utilized to the max and his prospects of deep playoff runs are realistic. Advertisement It's like his Team USA pal and former Golden State Warriors teammate Stephen Curry likes to say: 'Meaningful basketball.' That's the goal at this stage when you're a living legend, and we should find out in the next week or so — depending on where he lands — if it's one he can reach. Yet in contrast to the February trade deadline, when a Durant deal to Golden State was nixed by the Warriors because he'd made it clear he didn't want a reunion tour, his preference won't likely be a deciding factor this time around. 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But needing to include so many elements in a deal for a superstar who will turn 37 before next season begins and could need a lucrative contract extension to be happy in Minnesota is a lot for the Wolves to consider. Edwards and Durant would be an electric combination. I don't believe there is too much internal concern about KD's ability to stay healthy. I know there is full belief that Durant can continue to be a dominant offensive force. Advertisement But would it be worth all they might need to give up to try to make it happen? That is a big decision for the organization to make. Iko: From Houston's vantage point, the Durant saga is fascinating. On the one hand, you have a Rockets braintrust that has been quite vocal about the confidence in the roster decisions made over the last two seasons, which has resulted in winning 93 games in that span. A Durant acquisition, at least on paper, would solve myriad offensive issues that were further exposed in their first-round playoff loss to the Warriors — half-court efficiency, spacing concerns and a bona fide go-to scorer. You could make the argument that Durant's presence combined with Ime Udoka's defense is a recipe for a Western Conference finals run — if not more. On the other hand, a reshaping within the Suns front office factors into negotiations. Houston and Phoenix have been in contact for over a year concerning Durant, with the Suns' aggression a byproduct of a lack of leverage and flexibility. At one point, team sources say, Phoenix was determined to regain control of its draft capital (first-round picks in 2025, 2027 and swap rights in 2029) and at another, was seeking multiple young talents like Alperen Şengün and Jalen Green. Recently, forward Jabari Smith Jr.'s name has come up pertaining to the Suns' interest, team and league sources say. Green, whose name has been connected to Durant and other stars in trade rumors, is determined to improve upon his playoff struggles and wants to stay in Houston, league sources say. But the Rockets have largely been uninterested in breaking up their depth, even for a future Hall of Famer. There's also the question of his age and injury history — juxtaposed with the timeline of Houston's young core — and the tradeoff that comes with championship-chasing and development. As has been the case with teams that have attempted to detach the Rockets from their assets over the last few years, there is always a price point where Houston will be intrigued enough to do business. Durant has a good relationship with multiple players on the roster and members of the coaching staff, and his cache alone would raise the Rockets' ceiling. But unless Houston's brass is suddenly enamored with the idea of parting ways with key core talents, it looks like they're fine with keeping the band together. Their most pressing need internally was re-signing veteran center Steven Adams to an extension (which was agreed upon over the weekend), followed by hammering out Fred VanVleet's future, which is a mere formality at this point. Amick: I couldn't agree with you more about the Rockets' priorities here, Kelly. Unless they've been bluffing for this past year or so, it has been made abundantly clear that they only want Durant if it doesn't cost them pivotal parts of their young core. I'd be pretty surprised if that's where he winds up (disclaimer: I have been surprised many times before). Now while we're not going to break down every last possible scenario here, I did want to get your quick thoughts on the Spurs possibility before we go. The chatter this weekend was that San Antonio wasn't pushing all that hard in the Durant sweepstakes, if at all. Theirs is a similar calculus to the Rockets, it seems, with their timeline centering around the 'Alien,' 21-year-old Victor Wembanyama. So how do you see the situation in the Alamo City? Iko: It's clear that Suns owner Mat Ishbia and new general manager Brian Gregory want to remain competitive in any Durant trade, and players like Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes don't truly move the needle, but Durant's sheer interest in San Antonio is pertinent. It speaks to a larger theme, especially amid the current parity in the NBA and shift away from superteams. Even after winning just 34 games last season, the Spurs are well-positioned for a timeline-altering move — armed with young talent, a clean cap sheet and roster flexibility in addition to a horde of draft capital (San Antonio has 13 first-round picks through 2032). Advertisement A blockbuster move for Durant, admittedly divergent from San Antonio's roster-building methodology over the last few decades, would align seamlessly with the new era of Spurs basketball — the rapid trajectory of Wembanyama, the midseason acquisition of De'Aaron Fox and new leadership under head coach Mitch Johnson. San Antonio is also home to Stephon Castle, the reigning Rookie of the Year and owns the No. 2 pick in this month's draft, adding to its impressive asset war chest. For San Antonio, the motivation to progress on a Durant trade either now or after June 30, when the next league calendar year begins, will come down to how aggressive the Spurs choose to be —and which assets they're willing to relinquish. There's also the question of the No. 2 pick. All signs up until this point indicate that San Antonio intends to hold on to the selection, league sources say, and keep that pick out of any trade discussions. The 14th pick, however, is available, league sources said. Duke's Cooper Flagg is expected to be drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the first selection, and Rutgers' Dylan Harper would be in line to be taken second by the Spurs. There are a few fit questions that naturally arise given the presence of Fox and Castle, but Harper — who averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game as a freshman — is the next-best talent on the board after Flagg. But first things first, the Spurs and every other Durant suitor must decide how badly they want him.
