The Pelicans offered a a lot more durable check for the Silver and Black tonight than the poorly constructed roster of the Mavericks on Wednesday. The mix of elite capturing and ball motion stored the Spurs protection off steadiness as the house crowd stored the setting hostile for the Spurs. It was an excellent studying expertise for the younger Spurs, who hadn’t been challenged of their first recreation. It was a foul fest, with Keldon Johnson fouling out early within the fourth quarter and Victor Wembanyama fouling out within the first minute of additional time. The Silver and Black took management for a lot of the OT interval, and managed to outlive a shaky last second due to the 8 level lead they have been capable of achieve earlier, and Harrison Barnes iced the ultimate rating by hitting a pair of free throws to maintain the Pelicans from one way or the other forcing a second additional time.
The Spurs made a whole lot of errors this recreation, however additionally they did sufficient good issues to grind out a win in opposition to a proficient staff in a hostile area. Wembanyama was unimaginable, however the remainder of the staff stepped up in additional time after he was disqualified along with his sixth foul. Stephon Citadel had some nice performs and likewise some unhealthy moments, however the good outweighed the unhealthy, and he’ll be taught from his errors, and hopefully enhance his free throw capturing. Nearly all people on the Spurs stepped up at occasions, Vassell with well timed scoring, Harper by taking up within the fourth when the staff wanted to beat the Pelicans surge, and Luke Kornet when he needed to play because the lone massive with Wemby was resting.
As for the Pelicans, they will be powerful this 12 months. Zion Williamson is the perfect model of himself this 12 months, Trey Murphy III can replenish the basket, and the remainder of the staff is basically proficient. Their draft picks Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears are each actually good, they usually appear like a playoff staff, even within the talent-packed west. There are not any pushovers within the Western Convention.
The Spurs are undefeated within the 2025-2026 NBA season. I imply, it’s solely two video games, nevertheless it’s arduous to not overreact and suppose that they’re world beaters now. On Sunday, they tackle the Brooklyn Nets of their first house recreation of the season with an early 1:00 PM tipoff. If the Spurs are going to have a let down, this sort of get-back recreation with an early begin could be the time. It’s going to be attention-grabbing to see if Coach Mitch goes to have his guys locked in, or to see in the event that they get complacent with the tiny style of success that they’ve been capable of expertise simply two video games into the season.
