The New Orleans Pelicans nearly let one slip away in San Antonio on Sunday night, watching a 20-point cushion melt into a single-possession game before tightening the screws late for a 104-95 win over the Spurs. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was gritty-and it gave fans a glimpse of what this team can be when the pieces fall into place.
The Pelicans leaned on a balanced effort to get it done, with standout performances from Trey Murphy and Zion Williamson anchoring the offense, and key contributions from Saddiq Bey, Herb Jones, and rookie big man Yves Missi helping seal the deal. This win, just their 12th of the season, also snapped a potential season sweep at the hands of San Antonio-a small but meaningful victory for a team still trying to find its footing.
Let’s start with Herb Jones, because his return has been a game-changer. Since coming back from injury, Jones has unlocked a lineup shift that’s quietly reshaped the Pelicans’ identity.
The move to a bigger, more physical rotation-featuring Jones, Bey, Williamson, and Murphy-has given head coach James Borrego a more versatile and defensively sound unit. That group helped limit the Spurs to just 40 points combined in the second and third quarters, a stretch that flipped the game in New Orleans’ favor.
Jones doesn’t just defend-he elevates the entire defense. His presence allows teammates to play more aggressively, knowing he’s there to clean things up. The Pelicans’ ability to string together stops in the middle quarters was a direct reflection of that.
Saddiq Bey led the way offensively, dropping 24 points to go along with 10 rebounds and four assists-without committing a single turnover. That’s the kind of efficient, two-way performance that teams dream about from their wings. Bey’s been up and down this season, but when he’s locked in like this, he’s a difference-maker.
And then there’s Yves Missi. The rookie big stepped in for a struggling Derik Queen and made the most of his minutes, finishing with 10 points, 14 rebounds, and some timely defense against Victor Wembanyama.
Missi’s energy and physicality stood out, especially in a game that got tight late. He’s been stringing together a nice stretch of games, and performances like this are only going to earn him more trust from the coaching staff.
Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy didn’t have to carry the full load, but they came through when it mattered. Williamson’s ability to collapse defenses and create mismatches remains a foundational piece of this offense, while Murphy’s shot-making and spacing continue to provide balance. When those two are clicking alongside the likes of Jones and Bey, this team can compete with just about anyone.
That’s been the issue, though-consistency. Whether it’s health, rotations, or just plain rhythm, the Pelicans haven’t been able to sustain this level of play long enough to climb out of the hole they dug early in the season. But if this new-look lineup sticks, and if they can keep their core guys on the floor, there’s still time to change the narrative.
One subplot that drew attention Sunday was the absence of Jordan Poole, who was a healthy scratch. That raised eyebrows, especially in light of a report earlier in the day suggesting the Pelicans had discussed a trade involving Poole and Dejounte Murray in a package for Ja Morant and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Whether that’s connected to his benching or not, it’s clear Poole’s role is in flux-and with Jose Alvarado back in the rotation, there’s less room for error.
Whatever the reason, Poole’s DNP adds another layer to a team that’s already navigating a lot of moving parts. But for now, the focus shifts to a tough road test against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night. If the Pelicans can bring the same energy-and keep that big lineup rolling-they’ll have a shot to make some noise against one of the West’s top teams.