San Antonio Spurs vs New Orleans Pelicans

The San Antonio Spurs faced the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, October 24, 2025, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The game commenced at 7:00 PM Central Time (2:00 AM in Casablanca), marking the Pelicans’ home opener for the season. The Spurs entered the matchup with momentum, having dominated the Dallas Mavericks in their previous game, while the Pelicans were looking to bounce back after a close loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

In terms of injuries, the New Orleans Pelicans were notably impacted by the absence of key players Yves Missi and Kevon Looney. To bolster their lineup, they signed veteran center DeAndre Jordan just hours before the game. Jordan, who had spent the previous three seasons with the Denver Nuggets, was expected to provide experienced depth in the frontcourt. On the Spurs’ side, several players were sidelined, including De’Aaron Fox (hamstring), Dylan Harper (thumb), Jeremy Sochan (calf), Jordan McLaughlin (hamstring), Kelly Olynyk (heel), and Devin Vassell (healthy scratch). Despite these absences, the Spurs maintained a size advantage over the Pelicans.

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson emphasized a cautious approach to player recovery, highlighting the length of the season and stating that all injured players were making progress. The team’s tactics focused on leveraging their size and depth, with Victor Wembanyama playing a pivotal role in both offense and defense. His presence in the paint was expected to challenge the Pelicans’ interior defense and provide the Spurs with a defensive anchor.

Leading up to the game, analysts and media outlets highlighted the intriguing matchup between Wembanyama and the Pelicans’ star, Zion Williamson. Both players were considered among the most promising young talents in the league, and their performance was anticipated to be a key factor in the game’s outcome. The Pelicans’ strategy was expected to center around maximizing Williamson’s scoring ability, while the Spurs aimed to utilize their size advantage and depth to control the game’s tempo.

In the pregame analysis, studio analysts discussed the importance of establishing early dominance in the paint and controlling the boards. The Spurs’ depth was seen as a potential advantage, with contributions expected from players like Devin Vassell and rookie Dylan Harper. The Pelicans, on the other hand, were anticipated to rely heavily on Williamson’s scoring and leadership to keep the game competitive. The matchup was viewed as a significant early test for both teams in the new season.