Key Points
- The San Antonio Spurs entered the game with a 31-14 record and aimed to extend their four-game home winning streak against the New Orleans Pelicans.
- The New Orleans Pelicans, holding an 11-36 record, sought to build on their recent 133-127 win over the Memphis Grizzlies and improve their 4-17 road record.
- Key players included Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama averaging 24.5 points and 10.9 rebounds, and Pelicans’ Saddiq Bey scoring 36 points against Memphis, with injuries impacting both teams.
The Frost Bank Center in San Antonio was buzzing with anticipation on January 25, 2026, as the San Antonio Spurs (31-14) prepared to host the New Orleans Pelicans (11-36) in a Western Conference matchup brimming with storylines and high stakes. With the Spurs riding a four-game home winning streak and aiming to sweep the regular season series against the Pelicans, fans and analysts alike were eager to see if New Orleans could build on their recent momentum or if San Antonio would once again assert their dominance.
Coming into the contest, the Pelicans were fresh off a much-needed 133-127 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. That win snapped a three-game losing streak and offered a rare glimpse of what this young New Orleans squad could achieve when firing on all cylinders. Saddiq Bey exploded for 36 points, draining 6-of-9 from deep, while Trey Murphy III added an impressive 32 points and Zion Williamson chipped in 24. Their offensive fireworks not only secured a win but also gave the Pelicans a boost in confidence after a tough 3-14 stretch that had seen them slide to the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
“When we move the ball and trust each other, this is what we’re capable of,” Saddiq Bey said after the Grizzlies game, according to ESPN. That sentiment echoed throughout the Pelicans’ locker room as the team prepared for a daunting road test in San Antonio.
Yet, the challenge awaiting them was formidable. The Spurs had been on a tear, winning four of their last five games, including a convincing 126-109 road victory over the Utah Jazz. De’Aaron Fox led the way in that one, pouring in 31 points and hitting six three-pointers, while Victor Wembanyama continued his rookie campaign with a dominant 26-point, 14-rebound double-double. The Spurs, sitting 5.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference, were eager to keep their momentum rolling, especially with the return of Devin Vassell to the lineup.
San Antonio’s recent success has been built on a balanced attack and defensive grit. The team’s season averages—117.9 points per game on 47.3% shooting—rank them among the league’s most efficient offenses. Wembanyama, averaging 24.5 points and 10.9 rebounds, has quickly become a matchup nightmare, while Fox (20.5 points, 5.9 assists) and Stephon Castle (16.9 points, 7.1 assists) provide steady playmaking and scoring. The Spurs have also excelled on the boards, ranking second in the NBA with 46.3 rebounds per game.
For the Pelicans, the road has been anything but easy. Their 4-17 away record and 4-28 mark against teams with winning records highlight the uphill battle they’ve faced all season. Despite their struggles, New Orleans has been a thorn in San Antonio’s side when it comes to the betting spread, covering in all three previous matchups this season—even as the Spurs emerged victorious each time by single-digit margins. As of tip-off, the Pelicans were 3-0 against the spread versus the Spurs and had covered in eight of their last nine games against Southwest Division opponents.
Injuries have played a significant role in shaping both teams’ fortunes. For New Orleans, guard Dejounte Murray remained sidelined with a right Achilles rupture, while Jose Alvarado was listed as questionable with an oblique strain. Trey Murphy III, who has been red-hot of late, was probable despite right hand soreness. The Spurs, meanwhile, awaited updates on Luke Kornet (adductor tightness) and Jordan McLaughlin (shoulder), both questionable for the contest.
“We’re as healthy as we’ve been all season,” said Pelicans head coach Willie Green prior to the game, according to local media reports. That relative health gave New Orleans hope for a competitive showing in a building where the Spurs have posted a 16-5 record this year.
Betting lines reflected the perceived gulf between the teams. San Antonio entered as 11.5-point favorites, with the over/under set at a robust 239.5 points. The Spurs had been favored by double digits five times this season, covering twice, while New Orleans was 5-2 against the spread when listed as 11.5-point or larger underdogs. The moneyline offered long odds for a Pelicans win (+425), underscoring the challenge ahead for the visitors.
Recent trends suggested a high-scoring affair. The over had hit in all three previous meetings between the teams this season, with totals of 245 and 267 points in the last two encounters. However, the Spurs had seen the under cash in nine of their last ten games, while the Pelicans’ games had gone over in 20 of 47 contests this year. Which trend would prevail? That was the million-dollar question for fans and bettors alike.
Individually, several players were in the spotlight. Victor Wembanyama had recorded at least 11 rebounds in both prior games against New Orleans this season and was coming off three straight double-digit rebound performances. Zion Williamson, meanwhile, had scored 20 or more points in eight of his last twelve January games, including seven outings over 20.5 points. Stephon Castle, the Spurs’ emerging playmaker, had reached nine assists just twice in his previous ten games, while Saddiq Bey’s recent outburst had him trending upward.
With Devin Vassell returning, San Antonio’s rotation gained a much-needed boost. The Spurs’ depth, coupled with their ability to dictate tempo at home, had many predicting they’d pull away in the fourth quarter. Yet, if New Orleans’ young core could replicate their Memphis performance and keep the game close, the Pelicans might just have a shot to snap their losing streak against the Spurs.
Tip-off was set for 7:00 PM Eastern (6:00 PM Central), with coverage on FanDuel Sports Network Southwest, Gulf Coast Sports, and Pelicans+. For fans outside the local market, NBA League Pass on Amazon Prime Video offered streaming options, including a discounted trial for new subscribers.
As the action got underway, all eyes were on whether San Antonio would complete the season sweep or if New Orleans could defy the odds and spoil the Spurs’ home party. With both teams fighting for momentum in a crowded Western Conference, every possession promised to matter.
One thing was certain: the Frost Bank Center would bear witness to another chapter in this developing rivalry, with the Pelicans determined to prove they’re more than just underdogs and the Spurs eager to reinforce their status as playoff contenders. As the game unfolded, the energy in San Antonio was palpable—setting the stage for a memorable night of NBA basketball.
