San Antonio Spurs vs New Orleans Pelicans Match Player Stats
The san antonio spurs vs new orleans pelicans match player stats from February 26, 2025, tell the story of a competitive game that New Orleans won 109-103 at Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans overcame a slow opening quarter, controlled the glass, and finished strongly to secure the six-point victory.
The Spurs entered the game with a 24-32 record and were 10-18 on the road. New Orleans was 15-43 overall and 11-19 at home. Despite the difference in records, the matchup was closely contested for most of the night.
San Antonio actually started better. The Spurs scored 30 points in the opening quarter while limiting New Orleans to only 16. However, the Pelicans responded with a 33-point second quarter and carried that momentum into the second half.
Trey Murphy III led New Orleans with 24 points, while Zion Williamson added 18. For San Antonio, Devin Vassell scored 20 points, and Harrison Barnes and De’Aaron Fox each finished with 15.
The box score also reveals several less obvious factors. New Orleans won the rebounding battle 54-45, made six more free throws, and received major contributions from its bench. Bruce Brown, in particular, posted a team-best plus-minus of +20.
This article breaks down the complete player statistics, team numbers, shooting performance, rebounding battle, playmaking, turnovers, defensive production, and the individual performances that shaped the result.
Game Overview and Final Score
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the San Antonio Spurs 109-103 on February 26, 2025.
The game was played at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, in front of 16,767 spectators.
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| San Antonio Spurs | 30 | 21 | 32 | 20 | 103 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 16 | 33 | 30 | 30 | 109 |
The final margin was six points, but the scoring pattern was more important than the final number suggests.
San Antonio dominated the first quarter by 14 points. The Spurs then lost the second quarter 33-21, leaving the game tied at halftime at 51 points apiece.
New Orleans continued to gain control in the third quarter, outscoring San Antonio 30-32? No. The actual third-quarter scores were 32 for San Antonio and 30 for New Orleans, allowing the Spurs to regain a small advantage entering the final period.
That made the fourth quarter decisive.
The Pelicans scored 30 points in the final period while San Antonio managed only 20. New Orleans therefore finished the game with a 10-point fourth-quarter advantage and turned a close contest into a six-point victory.
The biggest lesson from the scoring pattern is that the Pelicans did not need to dominate for four quarters. They recovered from a poor opening, stayed close through the middle periods, and delivered when the game was decided.
San Antonio Spurs vs New Orleans Pelicans Match Player Stats
The individual numbers show that neither team relied on only one player.
San Antonio had five players score in double figures among its main rotation. Devin Vassell led the Spurs with 20 points, while Harrison Barnes and De’Aaron Fox contributed 15 apiece.
Chris Paul had a different kind of impact. He scored 12 points but produced 10 assists and two steals. Bismack Biyombo recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
New Orleans received 24 points from Trey Murphy III and 18 from Zion Williamson. CJ McCollum scored 13, while Jordan Hawkins added 12.
The Pelicans also got important production from players who did not lead the scoring column.
Bruce Brown finished with eight points, six rebounds, six assists, and three steals. His +20 plus-minus was the best mark in the game.
Spurs Player Statistics
| Player | MIN | PTS | FG | 3PT | FT | REB | AST | TO | STL | BLK | +/- |
| Harrison Barnes | 31 | 15 | 4-9 | 4-8 | 3-4 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 |
| Bismack Biyombo | 23 | 10 | 5-7 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +16 |
| Chris Paul | 33 | 12 | 4-7 | 3-6 | 1-1 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| De’Aaron Fox | 38 | 15 | 6-21 | 1-9 | 2-3 | 3 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 0 | +4 |
| Devin Vassell | 33 | 20 | 6-16 | 2-6 | 6-6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +7 |
| Sandro Mamukelashvili | 12 | 2 | 1-6 | 0-5 | 0-0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -4 |
| Keldon Johnson | 24 | 11 | 4-7 | 2-4 | 1-2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | -9 |
| Julian Champagnie | 15 | 2 | 1-5 | 0-3 | 0-0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -12 |
| Jeremy Sochan | 19 | 12 | 6-11 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -17 |
| Stephon Castle | 12 | 4 | 1-4 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | -16 |
San Antonio’s strongest statistical performances came from Vassell, Biyombo, Paul, and Fox.
Vassell was the team’s leading scorer with 20 points and was perfect from the free-throw line. He made all six of his free throws while adding five rebounds and three assists.
Biyombo’s 12 rebounds were particularly valuable because San Antonio needed additional interior production against a Pelicans team that eventually collected 54 total rebounds.
Paul’s 10 assists were the highest total among all players in the game. His three made three-pointers also helped San Antonio generate perimeter scoring.
Fox was one of the most active defensive players on the court. He finished with six steals, but his offensive efficiency was less consistent. He shot 6-for-21 from the field and 1-for-9 from three-point range.
Jeremy Sochan had an interesting statistical profile. He scored 12 points on 6-for-11 shooting, grabbed nine rebounds, and blocked two shots. However, his -17 plus-minus was the lowest among Spurs players.
Pelicans Player Statistics
| Player | MIN | PTS | FG | 3PT | FT | REB | AST | TO | STL | BLK | +/- |
| Kelly Olynyk | 23 | 6 | 1-6 | 0-2 | 4-5 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -6 |
| Zion Williamson | 29 | 18 | 8-15 | 0-0 | 2-3 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 0 | +2 |
| Trey Murphy III | 36 | 24 | 9-21 | 3-10 | 3-4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | -5 |
| Yves Missi | 28 | 10 | 4-8 | 0-0 | 2-2 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -9 |
| CJ McCollum | 29 | 13 | 5-14 | 1-6 | 2-2 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | -6 |
| Karlo Matkovic | 18 | 8 | 2-2 | 1-1 | 3-4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +12 |
| Bruce Brown | 29 | 8 | 3-8 | 0-1 | 2-3 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | +20 |
| Jose Alvarado | 20 | 7 | 3-5 | 0-2 | 1-1 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +14 |
| Antonio Reeves | 4 | 3 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | +4 |
| Jordan Hawkins | 24 | 12 | 5-13 | 1-7 | 1-1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | +4 |
Murphy was New Orleans’ leading scorer, but the Pelicans’ victory was a genuine team effort.
He played 36 minutes and scored 24 points while shooting 9-for-21 from the field. He also added four rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks.
Williamson was efficient around the basket, making eight of his 15 field-goal attempts. His six turnovers, however, were a notable weakness.
Olynyk and Missi were especially important on the boards. They combined for 23 rebounds, helping New Orleans establish its advantage inside.
Brown’s statistics deserve special attention. Eight points can look modest, but his six assists, six rebounds, three steals, and +20 plus-minus show why the box score should not be judged by scoring alone.
The Biggest Scoring Performances
Trey Murphy III was the game’s leading scorer with 24 points.
His 9-for-21 shooting produced a 42.9% field-goal percentage. He also made three three-pointers and three free throws.
Devin Vassell led San Antonio with 20 points. He shot 6-for-16 from the field and made six of six free throws.
Zion Williamson supplied 18 points on 8-for-15 shooting, giving him a 53.3% field-goal percentage.
Harrison Barnes and De’Aaron Fox each scored 15.
Barnes had one of the most efficient perimeter performances among the Spurs starters. He made four of his eight three-point attempts.
Fox’s scoring was less efficient, but his nine assists and six steals gave him significant influence in other areas.
The scoring leaders therefore represented different offensive roles:
- Murphy provided volume scoring and perimeter shooting.
- Vassell supplied efficient scoring and free-throw production.
- Williamson created pressure near the basket.
- Barnes added efficient three-point shooting.
- Fox combined scoring with primary ball handling and defense.
- Paul controlled the offense through passing.
Devin Vassell’s Efficient 20-Point Performance
Vassell was San Antonio’s top scorer and one of the team’s most balanced offensive contributors.
He played 33 minutes and recorded:
- 20 points
- 6-for-16 field goals
- 2-for-6 three-pointers
- 6-for-6 free throws
- 5 rebounds
- 3 assists
- 1 steal
His perfect free-throw shooting mattered because San Antonio did not have a major free-throw advantage in this matchup.
Vassell’s six successful free throws accounted for a significant part of his scoring output. He also avoided an extremely high turnover total, committing only two.
The main limitation was his field-goal efficiency. He made 37.5% of his overall attempts.
Even so, his scoring was essential because the Spurs needed another consistent scoring option alongside Fox.
Trey Murphy III Leads the Pelicans
Murphy was the game’s highest scorer with 24 points.
His 36 minutes were the most played by any Pelicans player, indicating the importance of his role.
He recorded 24 points, four rebounds, four assists, three turnovers, two steals, and two blocks.
His three made three-pointers were important against a Spurs defense that generated significant pressure through steals.
Murphy was not perfect from the field, but he maintained a reliable offensive role throughout the game.
His defensive contributions also stand out. Two steals and two blocks gave him four defensive events beyond his rebounding total.
That combination made Murphy more than a pure scorer.
Chris Paul Controls the Spurs Offense
Chris Paul finished with 12 points and 10 assists.
That was the only double-double recorded by a Spurs player through points and assists, while Biyombo recorded his double-double through points and rebounds.
Paul shot 4-for-7 from the field and 3-for-6 from three-point range.
His 10 assists were particularly important because San Antonio finished with 29 team assists.
He also recorded two steals and one block.
The unusual part of Paul’s statistical line was his zero rebounds. His influence came primarily from playmaking, shooting, and defensive activity rather than work on the glass.
For a game that was ultimately decided by six points, creating efficient opportunities through passing was important. Paul’s playmaking helped the Spurs produce 103 points despite several inefficient shooting performances.
De’Aaron Fox’s High-Impact Defensive Night
Fox had a complicated game.
Offensively, he struggled.
He attempted 21 field goals and made only six. From three-point range, he made one of nine attempts.
Yet his overall contribution was much broader.
Fox finished with:
- 15 points
- 9 assists
- 3 rebounds
- 6 steals
- 6 turnovers
- +4 plus-minus
The six steals were the highest total recorded by any player in the game.
That defensive activity helped San Antonio generate extra possessions. The Spurs finished with 14 steals as a team, compared with 11 for New Orleans.
However, Fox’s six turnovers partially offset that defensive production.
This is a useful example of why player evaluation requires more than looking at one category. A player can simultaneously create turnovers defensively and lose possessions offensively.
Bruce Brown’s Plus-Minus Tells an Important Story
Bruce Brown did not lead the Pelicans in points.
He scored only eight.
But his +20 plus-minus was the highest number in the game.
NBA plus-minus measures the point differential while a player is on the floor. NBA.com official stats glossary
Brown also recorded six rebounds, six assists, three steals, and only one turnover.
That statistical combination helps explain why his minutes were valuable.
He contributed as a connector rather than a primary scorer.
His six assists helped New Orleans maintain offensive flow. His six rebounds helped address the team’s interior needs. Also his three steals created additional defensive pressure.</p>
His performance is one of the clearest examples from this game of why traditional scoring totals do not always identify the most impactful role players.</p>
The Rebounding Battle Favored New Orleans
One of the clearest advantages for the Pelicans was rebounding.
New Orleans collected 54 rebounds compared with 45 for San Antonio.
That created a nine-rebound advantage.
The Pelicans also had 20 offensive rebounds, compared with 13 for the Spurs.
That seven-rebound difference on the offensive glass was especially significant.
Offensive rebounds create additional possessions. Even when the first shot does not fall, a team can maintain possession and create another opportunity.
New Orleans received major contributions from:
- Kelly Olynyk: 12 rebounds
- Yves Missi: 11 rebounds
- Zion Williamson: 6 rebounds
- Bruce Brown: 6 rebounds
San Antonio’s leading rebounder was Bismack Biyombo with 12.
Jeremy Sochan added nine, while Barnes and Vassell each had five.
The individual numbers show that San Antonio had strong contributors, but New Orleans had greater overall depth on the glass.
Shooting Efficiency Comparison
The Pelicans shot 41-for-94 from the field.
That translated to 44% shooting.
San Antonio went 38-for-93, or 41%.
The difference was only three percentage points, but over nearly 100 attempts it produced a meaningful scoring advantage.
The teams had very different three-point profiles.
San Antonio:
- 13-for-44 from three
- 30% from three-point range
New Orleans:
- 7-for-31 from three
- 23% from three-point range
Interestingly, the Spurs were clearly better from long range.
Yet they still lost.
That tells us that three-point percentage was not enough to decide the game.
New Orleans compensated through better overall field-goal shooting, superior rebounding, and stronger free-throw production.
The Pelicans also made 20 of 25 free throws, compared with 14 of 18 for San Antonio.
That gave New Orleans a six-point advantage in made free throws.
The combination of field goals, free throws, and extra possessions from offensive rebounding outweighed San Antonio’s better three-point shooting.
Why Free Throws Mattered
The Pelicans made 20 free throws.
The Spurs made 14.
That six-point difference exactly matched the final margin.
This does not mean every difference in the final score came from free throws. Basketball possessions interact in many ways.
However, it highlights how important free-throw opportunities were.
New Orleans shot 25 free throws and converted 80%.
San Antonio attempted only 18 and made 78%.
The percentage difference was small.
The bigger difference was opportunity.
New Orleans generated seven more free-throw attempts and converted six more free throws.
In a six-point game, that becomes an important part of the statistical explanation.
Turnovers Were Close, But Still Important
San Antonio committed 20 turnovers.
New Orleans committed 19.
That was only a one-turnover difference.
The Spurs did, however, force 11 Pelicans turnovers through 14 steals.
New Orleans recorded 14 steals? No. The supplied team statistics show 11 steals for New Orleans and 14 for San Antonio.
Fox led San Antonio with six steals.
Brown led New Orleans with three.
The turnover numbers demonstrate that both teams played aggressively defensively.
San Antonio’s 14 steals were especially impressive, but the Spurs did not fully convert that defensive activity into a victory.
One reason was their own 20 turnovers.
The result was a game where defensive pressure existed on both sides, but neither team completely controlled possession.
The Role of the Bench
The bench played an important role in the outcome.
For San Antonio, Keldon Johnson scored 11 points, while Jeremy Sochan added 12. The Spurs also received smaller contributions from Sandro Mamukelashvili, Julian Champagnie, and Stephon Castle.
Sochan’s 12 points and nine rebounds were especially useful.
For New Orleans, Jordan Hawkins scored 12 points and Karlo Matkovic added eight. Bruce Brown contributed eight points, while Jose Alvarado scored seven.
The Pelicans’ bench also produced strong plus-minus numbers.
Brown finished at +20.
Alvarado finished at +14.
Matkovic finished at +12.
Those figures indicate that New Orleans’ second-unit players helped the team during its comeback and closing stretches.
New Orleans’ Fourth-Quarter Finish
The fourth quarter was the decisive period.
The Pelicans scored 30 points.
The Spurs scored 20.
That 10-point difference erased the Spurs’ advantage from the opening quarter and gave New Orleans enough separation to win.
The closing period also reflected the Pelicans’ broader strengths.
They had already established a rebounding advantage, and their free-throw production remained important.
San Antonio, meanwhile, struggled to maintain its earlier offensive rhythm.
The Spurs finished the fourth quarter with 20 points, their lowest output of the game.
The timing of the decline was critical.
A team can survive an inefficient quarter early in a game. It is much harder to recover when the offensive drop comes during the final period.
Comparing the Team Statistics
| Category | Spurs | Pelicans | Advantage |
| Final Score | 103 | 109 | Pelicans |
| Field Goals | 38-93 | 41-94 | Pelicans |
| FG% | 41% | 44% | Pelicans |
| 3PT | 13-44 | 7-31 | Spurs |
| 3PT% | 30% | 23% | Spurs |
| Free Throws | 14-18 | 20-25 | Pelicans |
| FT% | 78% | 80% | Pelicans |
| Rebounds | 45 | 54 | Pelicans |
| Offensive Rebounds | 13 | 20 | Pelicans |
| Assists | 29 | 25 | Spurs |
| Turnovers | 20 | 19 | Pelicans |
| Steals | 14 | 11 | Spurs |
| Blocks | 4 | 6 | Pelicans |
| Personal Fouls | 19 | 17 | Pelicans |
The table explains why the final score favored New Orleans.
San Antonio had advantages in three-point shooting, assists, and steals.
New Orleans had advantages in overall field-goal percentage, free throws, rebounding, turnovers, and blocks.
The most significant differences were probably the nine-rebound advantage and six additional made free throws.
What the Box Score Says About the Game
The most useful way to understand this matchup is to view the statistics as connected pieces rather than isolated numbers.
San Antonio shot better from three.
That normally provides an offensive advantage.
However, New Orleans took advantage of other areas.
The Pelicans collected nine more rebounds, including seven more offensive rebounds. They made six more free throws. They also committed one fewer turnover.
That combination created enough additional value to overcome the Spurs’ three-point advantage.
San Antonio also had more assists, which shows that its offense was not simply dependent on individual scoring.
Chris Paul had 10 assists.
Fox had nine.
Together, the two veteran ball handlers created 19 assists.
But Fox’s six turnovers and poor three-point shooting limited the efficiency of that production.
New Orleans had a different balance.
Murphy provided the highest scoring output, Williamson generated efficient interior scoring, and Brown contributed across several categories.
That diversity mattered in a close game.
Players Who Stood Out Beyond the Scoring Column
Several players deserve attention even though they were not the leading scorers.
Bismack Biyombo
Biyombo recorded 10 points and 12 rebounds.
He shot 5-for-7 and finished with a +16 plus-minus.
His rebounding gave San Antonio important interior stability.
Kelly Olynyk
Olynyk scored only six points, but he grabbed 12 rebounds, added three assists, one steal, and one block.
His work on the glass was essential to New Orleans’ overall rebounding advantage.
Jeremy Sochan
Sochan produced 12 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.
His six-for-11 shooting was efficient.
His -17 plus-minus, however, shows that his individual production did not translate into positive team minutes.
Jose Alvarado
Alvarado scored seven points but added five rebounds, four assists, and one steal.
His +14 plus-minus indicates a strong overall impact during his minutes.
Karlo Matkovic
Matkovic played only 18 minutes but made all two of his field-goal attempts and his only three-point attempt.
He finished with eight points and a +12 plus-minus.
That was efficient production in limited minutes.
Previous and Next Matchups
The game was part of a three-game season series at that point.
Before the February 26 matchup, San Antonio led the season series 2-1 according to the supplied game data.
The previous listed matchups were:
- December 9, 2024: Pelicans 121, Spurs 116
- February 24, 2025: Spurs 114, Pelicans 96
- February 26, 2025: Pelicans 109, Spurs 103
The next matchup listed in the supplied data took place on March 16, 2025, when San Antonio defeated New Orleans 119-115.
That sequence demonstrates how competitive this matchup was during the season.
The teams traded victories, and the February 26 game was decided by only six points.
Why Player Stats Matter for Game Analysis
Player statistics are useful because the final score alone cannot explain how a game was won.
For example, the Spurs had more assists and steals.
If someone looked only at those two categories, they might assume San Antonio controlled the game.
The complete box score tells a different story.
New Orleans dominated the rebounding battle and made more free throws.
Similarly, Fox’s 15 points do not fully describe his performance. His nine assists and six steals added substantial value, while his six turnovers and inefficient shooting created problems.
Brown’s eight points also appear modest until his six rebounds, six assists, three steals, and +20 plus-minus are considered.
This is why a useful player-stat analysis should examine multiple categories.
NBA statistical definitions distinguish traditional numbers such as points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and turnovers from advanced measures such as true shooting percentage and usage. The official NBA glossary provides definitions for these metrics. NBA Stats Glossary
Frequently Asked Questions
Who led the Spurs in scoring against the Pelicans?
Devin Vassell led San Antonio with 20 points. He shot 6-for-16 from the field and made all six of his free-throw attempts.
Who led the Pelicans in scoring?
Trey Murphy III led New Orleans with 24 points. He made nine of 21 field-goal attempts and three of 10 three-point attempts.
What was the final score between the Spurs and Pelicans?
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the San Antonio Spurs 109-103 on February 26, 2025.
Who had the most rebounds in the game?
Bismack Biyombo and Kelly Olynyk each recorded 12 rebounds. Biyombo led the Spurs, while Olynyk led New Orleans.
Who had the most assists?
Chris Paul led all players with 10 assists. De’Aaron Fox followed with nine assists.
Who had the highest plus-minus?
Bruce Brown recorded the best plus-minus at +20. He also contributed eight points, six rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
Conclusion
The san antonio spurs vs new orleans pelicans match player stats show a game decided by balance rather than one overwhelming individual performance.
Trey Murphy III led all scorers with 24 points, while Devin Vassell paced San Antonio with 20. Chris Paul controlled the Spurs’ offense with 10 assists, and De’Aaron Fox produced six steals despite an inefficient shooting night.
The rebounding numbers were one of the clearest differences. New Orleans collected 54 rebounds to San Antonio’s 45 and grabbed 20 offensive rebounds. That created additional opportunities throughout the game.
Free throws were another major factor. The Pelicans made 20 free throws compared with 14 for the Spurs. That six-point difference matched the final margin.
New Orleans also received important contributions outside its leading scorers. Bruce Brown’s +20 plus-minus, six rebounds, six assists, and three steals showed his impact without requiring a high scoring total. Kelly Olynyk and Yves Missi combined for 23 rebounds, while Karlo Matkovic and Jose Alvarado provided useful bench production.
San Antonio had clear strengths of its own. The Spurs shot 30% from three compared with 23% for New Orleans, recorded 29 assists, and generated 14 steals.
Ultimately, however, the Pelicans were more effective in the areas that translated into additional possessions and points. Their rebounding advantage, free-throw edge, slightly better overall shooting, and stronger fourth-quarter performance allowed them to overcome the Spurs’ excellent opening period.
The result was a 109-103 New Orleans victory in a matchup where the individual statistics reveal far more than the final score alone.
