Key Takeaways:
- San Antonio Spurs defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 135-132
- Derik Queen recorded his first career NBA triple-double, registering 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists
- Rookie Dylan Harper scored 22 points, including the decisive floater with 9 seconds remaining
Game Overview
The San Antonio Spurs managed to withstand a resurgent New Orleans Pelicans side, eventually claiming a 135-132 victory on Monday night at the Smoothie King Center. Harrison Barnes led the Spurs with 24 points, while Dylan Harper, in his rookie campaign, poured in 22 points. Harper’s late-game poise was pivotal as he drove to the basket and scored the go-ahead floater with only 9 seconds on the clock.
W SECURED.
@FrostBank | #sponsored pic.twitter.com/PqQgfDUSRj
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 9, 2025
Pelicans’ Spirited Comeback
Despite trailing by 20 points at the break, the Pelicans mounted a remarkable second-half fightback. Rookie Derik Queen was instrumental, turning in a career-best performance with 33 points – 29 of which came after half-time, alongside 10 rebounds and 10 assists to complete his first NBA triple-double. Trey Murphy chipped in with 32 points as New Orleans scored an eye-catching 45 points in the third quarter, erasing the deficit and seizing a 102-100 advantage heading into the fourth.
Key Performances and Game Details
San Antonio entered the interval buoyed by a high-octane offence, having converted 11 three-pointers in the first half (including six in a 42-point second quarter), to establish a 77-57 lead. That tally marked their highest by half-time this campaign. Stephon Castle added 18 points for the Spurs, with Julian Champagnie hitting five triples en route to 17 points.
With both Victor Wembanyama (left calf) and Zion Williamson (right hip adductor) unavailable and watching from the bench, the supporting casts took centre stage. Herb Jones returned from an eight-game absence due to a right calf injury for New Orleans, contributing 17 points, while Saddiq Bey also scored 17 points for the Pelicans, who slipped to a seventh consecutive defeat.
| Team | Top Scorer | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio Spurs | Harrison Barnes (24) | Luke Kornet (9) | De’Aaron Fox (7) |
| New Orleans Pelicans | Derik Queen (33) | Queen (10) | Queen (10) |
Final Moments and Next Fixtures
After a compelling contest, De’Aaron Fox contributed 14 points for San Antonio, converting two crucial free throws with 1.1 seconds remaining to confirm the final margin. Saddiq Bey’s last-gasp three-point attempt struck the front rim as time expired.
Looking ahead, the Spurs are set to visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. The Pelicans will look to end their losing streak at home against Portland on Thursday night.
