Overview

• Devin Vassell scored 22 points to help the San Antonio Spurs overcome the New Orleans Pelicans in a close 119-115 victory on Saturday night.
• The Spurs were without Victor Wembanyama (blood clot in right shoulder) and De'Aaron Fox (season-ending pinkie injury), while the Pelicans missed Zion Williamson due to personal reasons.
• San Antonio's Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes contributed 19 points each, while Stephon Castle added 17, continuing his strong rookie campaign.
• C.J. McCollum led the Pelicans with 26 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds, while Trey Murphy III added 20 points in the losing effort.
• The Spurs, who have struggled defensively and with consistency this season, remain 4.5 games behind the play-in tournament spots with 16 games left to play.