Pelicans pull off upset against Spurs, Victor Wembanyama struggles with shooting
Jan 25, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) sits after getting fouled in the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
In a back-and-forth game marked by multiple runs, the New Orleans Pelicans pulled off an upset with a 104-95 victory on the road against the San Antonio Spurs. A win that allows the Louisiana franchise to avoid a regular season sweep against the Texans.
Williamson and Bey lead the Pelicans’ charge
Zion Williamson and Saddiq Bey were the architects of this unexpected success, each finishing with identical stat lines: 24 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. The duo overwhelmed the Spurs’ defense, particularly Williamson who delivered multiple spectacular plays against Victor Wembanyama, including a powerful right-handed dunk.
Zion Williamson 24-10-4 (10/18 FG), +17 pic.twitter.com/wn29FckmrO
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) January 26, 2026
The Pelicans took control from the first period, capitalizing on San Antonio‘s offensive struggles to head into halftime with a nine-point lead (56-47). The gap even widened to 19 points midway through the third quarter (72-53), prompting coach Mitch Johnson to pull his entire starting lineup.
A spectacular but insufficient comeback
This drastic decision paid off. The Spurs went on an impressive 29-5 run over ten minutes, including a 16-0 stretch spanning the end of the third and beginning of the fourth quarter. Victor Wembanyama, who finished with 16 points on 6/16 shooting (including 2/10 from three-point range), 16 rebounds and 4 blocks, and returning Devin Vassell (13 points in 25 minutes) led this surge.
Victor Wembanyama tonight:
16 PTS
6-16 FGM
2-10 3PM
2-6 FTM7 feet tall for absolutely nothing 😭pic.twitter.com/VShHbi6Zcd https://t.co/kKlQbU3J1T
— NBA Tour Dates (@NBATourDates) January 26, 2026
With four minutes remaining, San Antonio even held a four-point lead (93-89) after a free throw by Stephon Castle. But the Pelicans found the resources needed to turn things around, finishing the game with a decisive 17-3 run.
Trey Murphy III, quiet until then, proved decisive with 17 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds, particularly with a crucial three-pointer followed by a floater. The Spurs crumbled in the final moments, missing four consecutive free throws while still leading 93-89.
This frustrating loss for San Antonio can be explained by widespread poor shooting (40% from the field, 27% from three-point range) and 13 points left at the free-throw line (19/32). The Pelicans, thanks to their dominance in the paint (56-32 in points in the paint), secure their second consecutive victory and avoid a regular season sweep against the Spurs.
Commentaires