San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson advised reporters that his crew was dealing with some psychological fatigue after a 130-117 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night time. After two days of relaxation and the return of some key gamers, the Spurs will get an opportunity to show the ship round towards the league-worst New Orleans Pelicans, as they proceed their four-game highway journey.
Stephon Fortress and Luke Kornet are each questionable for Monday’s contest, however are anticipated to play. Notably, Fortress, Kornet, Jordan McLaughlin, and Victor Wembanyama had been full members in apply over the weekend. San Antonio might be at full well being very quickly. Monday’s sport might be a great tune-up sport for a few of the beat-up Spurs, because the Pelicans might be with out three of their prime 5 scorers.
San Antonio has already crushed New Orleans twice this 12 months, however in these video games, the Silver and Black skilled simply how bodily this motivated younger crew could be. Trey Murphy III is a budding star, and rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen are fearless. Kornet and Fortress shall be vastly invaluable as they will bolster a Spurs protection that gave up 44 third-quarter factors on Friday night time. San Antonio might use this sport to achieve some momentum as they head into their NBA Cup matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night time.
December 8, 2025 | 7 PM CT
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Spurs Accidents: Stephon Fortress – Questionable (hip), Harrison Ingram – Out (G League), Jordan McLaughlin – Out (hamstring), Luke Kornet – Questionable (ankle), Victor Wembanyama – Out (calf), Riley Minix – Questionable (G League)
Pelicans Accidents: Hunter Dickinson – Out (G League), Herbert Jones – Questionable (calf), Dejounte Murray – Out (achilles), Jordan Poole – Out (quad), Zion Williamson – Out (adductor)
The ball shall be within the Pelicans’ star’s arms on Monday. Murphy III is able to big scoring explosions. He had 41 factors within the Spurs’ final matchup with New Orleans. He’s averaging 20.5 factors and about three triples per contest. San Antonio could must throw an additional defender at him, or be bodily and aggressive in not letting him get open appears from three. The Pelicans aren’t a very nice offensive crew (twenty sixth in offensive ranking), however they’ve sufficient expertise to get scorching. Murphy III might be a galvanizing drive. The Spurs shall be tasked with ensuring he doesn’t take over the sport.
The third quarter of the Cleveland sport boiled all the way down to an absence of consideration to element. San Antonio misplaced their man, failed to speak screens, and wasn’t bodily on the level of assault, amongst different points. It was a whole breakdown on the Spurs’ half. New Orleans doesn’t have the identical degree of offensive expertise as Cleveland, nevertheless it has younger gamers who’ve confirmed they will rating. Kornet and Fortress returning must be an enormous assist. San Antonio might want to lock in on that finish to get a win on the highway.
After lacking the final 9 video games, Fortress is predicted to play on Monday. It might be protected to imagine he’ll come again to the beginning lineup, with Julian Champagnie heading to the bench. It’ll be fascinating to see if the Spurs put him on a minutes restriction or play an prolonged bench like they’ve been to scale back his minutes within the first sport again. No matter his enjoying time, the Spurs might use one other downhill attacker, playmaker, and perimeter defender. Fortress can assist in all of these departments. He was enjoying properly earlier than he obtained damage, too. Fortress is averaging 17.3 factors, 7.5 assists, and 5.8 rebounds whereas taking pictures 49.7% from the sector this season.
