Recap
3 min read

Pelicans Outshine Spurs in a High-Scoring Affair at Smoothie King Center

The New Orleans Pelicans secured a victory against the San Antonio Spurs with a final score of 114-96. This win improves the Pelicans' record to 14-43, while the Spurs now stand at 24-31 for the season. The game, held at Smoothie King Center, showcased an impressive performance from both teams, but it was the Pelicans who ultimately dominated.


NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 23:  Keldon Johnson #0 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on February 23, 2025 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

Key Performances and Game Highlights


The Pelicans' success can be attributed to their dynamic offensive strategy and solid defense throughout the game. They led for 17:42 minutes and achieved their biggest lead of 21 points, demonstrating their control over the game's pace. The team excelled in various aspects, notably scoring 58 points in paint out of 57 attempts and securing a total of 79 rebounds.


Karlo Matkovic stood out with an exceptional performance by scoring 19 points on an astonishingly efficient shooting night where he made all his two-point attempts and half of his three-point shots. Zion Williamson also had a significant impact with his all-around play, contributing 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists along with two blocks and two steals.


NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 23:  Julian Champagnie #30 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on February 23, 2025 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

On the other side, despite facing challenges throughout the match, the Spurs managed to put up a fight. They scored a total of 96 points with notable contributions from their bench players who added up to half of their total score (51 bench points). Their effort was evident as they attempted to close down on leads several times during the match but struggled against New Orleans' relentless attack.


Looking Ahead


As fans look forward to more action-packed games from New Orleans Pelicans this season will have another opportunity soon when they host San Antonio Spurs again at Smoothie King Center on February 25th at 8:00 PM EDT. This rematch promises another exciting encounter between these two teams. Fans can catch all live action through broadcasts available on Gulf Coast Sports Network among others including FDSSW and WVUE for comprehensive coverage.


NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 23:  Jeremy Sochan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on February 23, 2025 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

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