The rivalry between the San Antonio Spurs vs New Orleans Pelicans Match Player Stats has produced some memorable matchups over the years. Both teams bring distinct styles: San Antonio’s blend of rising young stars and seasoned veterans versus New Orleans’ athleticism and perimeter shooting. In this in‑depth article, we break down a recent meeting between the Spurs and the Pelicans — including individual player statistics, team performance analysis, strategic observations, and broader context from their seasons.
For this article, the focus is on the February 25, 2025 regular season game, where the Pelicans defeated the Spurs 109–103 in New Orleans.
Game Overview: Spurs vs Pelicans – February 25, 2025
On February 25, 2025, the San Antonio Spurs traveled to the Smoothie King Center to take on the New Orleans Pelicans in a Western Conference showdown. The Pelicans emerged victorious, handing the Spurs a competitive but ultimately unsustainable challenge.
Final Score:
- Pelicans: 109
- Spurs: 103
The outcome reflected a high‑effort display by New Orleans, backed by balanced scoring and clutch plays late in the game. San Antonio pushed hard but couldn’t overcome turnovers and inconsistent shooting.
Team Performance Summary
Before diving into individual performances, here’s a quick snapshot of team statistics from this matchup:
Field Goal Efficiency
- Spurs: 40.9%
- Pelicans: 43.6%
Three‑Point Shooting
- Spurs: 29.5%
- Pelicans: 22.6%
Free Throws
- Spurs: 77.8%
- Pelicans: 80.0%
Rebounding
- Spurs: 56 total
- Pelicans: 61 total
Assists
- Spurs: 29
- Pelicans: 25
Turnovers
- Spurs: 20
- Pelicans: 19
New Orleans had a slight edge in field goal efficiency and rebounding — particularly on the offensive glass — while San Antonio held advantages in three‑point shooting accuracy and assists. The turnover battle was narrow but significant, contributing to game momentum swings in critical moments.
San Antonio Spurs Player Stats
Devin Vassell
- Points: 20
- Rebounds: 5
- Assists: 3
- Field Goals: 6/16
- 3PT: 2/6
- Free Throws: 6/6
Vassell led the Spurs in scoring, showcasing efficiency from the free-throw line and solid contributions on both ends of the floor. His perimeter shooting kept San Antonio in striking range throughout.
Harrison Barnes
- Points: 15
- Rebounds: 5
- Assists: 2
- Field Goals: 4/9
- 3PT: 4/8
- Free Throws: 3/4
Barnes provided a reliable scoring boost, especially from three‑point range. His ability to stretch the defense was key to multiple Spurs scoring runs.
De’Aaron Fox
- Points: 15
- Rebounds: 3
- Assists: 9
- Field Goals: 6/21
- 3PT: 1/9
- Free Throws: 2/3
Fox’s assist tally was impressive — helping facilitate Spurs offensive rhythm. However, his shooting struggles limited his scoring impact. His nine assists reflect his role as a primary playmaker.
Chris Paul
- Points: 12
- Rebounds: 0
- Assists: 10
- Field Goals: 4/7
- 3PT: 3/6
- Free Throws: 1/1
Paul provided veteran leadership and controlled the tempo effectively. His double‑digit assist count highlights his court vision, while his shooting was efficient when called upon.
Bismack Biyombo
- Points: 10
- Rebounds: 12
- Assists: 1
- Field Goals: 5/7
Biyombo’s double‑double anchored San Antonio’s interior presence. His rebounding was vital in keeping possessions alive and battling against a strong Pelicans frontcourt.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Stats
Trey Murphy III
- Points: 24
- Rebounds: 4
- Assists: 4
Murphy led the Pelicans in scoring, displaying his value as a multi‑dimensional threat. His ability to score from varied spots kept San Antonio’s defense honest and prevented complete defensive collapses in late rotations.
Zion Williamson
- Points: 18
- Rebounds: 8
Williamson’s blend of power and athleticism was on display as he controlled paint scoring opportunities and second‑chance points. His rebounding presence was key to Pelicans securing extra possessions.
Yves Missi
- Points: 10
- Rebounds: 11
Missi’s performance was a standout in the Pelicans’ frontcourt rotation. His rebounding gave New Orleans additional offensive chances, and his presence added a gritty edge to the team’s inside game.
Kelly Olynyk
- Rebounds: 12
Olynyk’s rebounding effort was a critical piece of New Orleans’ success on the glass. He complemented Missi’s interior effort and helped limit second‑chance opportunities for San Antonio.
Strategic and Tactical Analysis
Offensive Trends
San Antonio’s offense moved the ball effectively, as evidenced by 29 assists, but struggled with consistency in field goal execution. A 40.9% overall shooting percentage reflected too many missed opportunities, especially late in the shot clock.
New Orleans leaned on balanced scoring rather than a single star. Their slightly higher field goal percentage coupled with better offensive rebounding count allowed them to control key stretches.
Defensive Patterns
The Pelicans’ interior presence at rebounding limited many second‑chance buckets for the Spurs. Meanwhile, San Antonio’s perimeter defense showed vulnerability when switching on curls and off‑ball screens — particularly against shooters like Trey Murphy III.
San Antonio’s defense forced a high number of turnovers, but those came at the cost of aggressive rotations that occasionally left shooters open. The close turnover totals (20 vs 19) emphasize how crucial ball control was in this game.
Bench Contributions and Role Players
While starters dominated the stat sheet, role players on both sides provided key minutes:
- Biyombo’s rebounding mirrored the physicality the Spurs required inside.
- Pelicans’ bench contributions, although understated, helped New Orleans maintain offensive flow during starter substitutions.
These auxiliary performances often shape the final outcomes of closely contested games like this.
Broader Context: Season Trends
Across the 2024–25 and 2025–26 seasons, both teams have experienced varying levels of success and roster evolution.
- The Spurs have focused on integrating young talents like Victor Wembanyama and Devin Vassell into a cohesive unit complemented by veteran leadership such as Chris Paul.
- The Pelicans continue to build around dynamic athletes such as Zion Williamson and sharpshooting wings like Trey Murphy III, aiming to climb the Western Conference standings.
Games between these teams often serve as measuring sticks for franchise direction and player growth trajectories.
Conclusion
The San Antonio Spurs vs New Orleans Pelicans matchup on February 25, 2025 highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of both teams. New Orleans’ balanced scoring, strong interior presence, and effective rebounding ultimately gave them the edge over the Spurs, who struggled with inconsistent shooting and turnovers despite solid contributions from their stars. Players like Trey Murphy III and Zion Williamson showcased the Pelicans’ offensive versatility and physicality, while Devin Vassell and Chris Paul led the Spurs with scoring and playmaking efforts.
This game demonstrated how critical teamwork, ball control, and rebounding can be in close contests. While the Spurs showed promise with young talent and veteran leadership, the Pelicans’ depth and execution under pressure proved decisive. Overall, this matchup serves as an example of the evolving dynamics in the Western Conference, highlighting the importance of consistency, defensive focus, and balanced contributions from both starters and role players.
FAQs
Q: Who led the Spurs in scoring in the February 25, 2025 game?
A: Devin Vassell led the Spurs with 20 points.
Q: Which Pelicans player scored the most points?
A: Trey Murphy III topped the Pelicans’ scoring with 24 points.
Q: How did San Antonio perform from the three‑point line?
A: San Antonio shot 29.5% from beyond the arc.
Q: Who had the most rebounds in the game?
A: Yves Missi led rebounding with 11, while Bismack Biyombo had 12 for the Spurs.
Q: Did any player reach double‑figure assists?
A: Yes — Chris Paul distributed 10 assists for the Spurs, and De’Aaron Fox had 9.
