Victor Wembanyama’s late surge helps Spurs top Pelicans

Victor Wembanyama scored 25 points, including the final seven for San Antonio over the final 36.9 seconds of the game, as the Spurs defeated the visiting New Orleans Pelicans 121-116 on Sunday night.

San Antonio’s lead was at 11 points with 5:02 left in the contest before CJ McCollum converted a layup with one minute to play to cap a 13-0 run that pushed the Pelicans to the front, 116-114.

Wembanyama’s 3-pointer with 36.9 seconds left gave San Antonio the lead again, and the big man’s two free throws 16.9 seconds later expanded the Spurs’ advantage to three points. Wembanyama then secured the rebound after New Orleans’ Trey Murphy III missed a 3-pointer with 9.5 seconds remaining. He was fouled and put the finishing touches on the win with two more makes from the charity stripe.

Chris Paul had 10 assists for the Spurs to pass Jason Kidd for second on the all-time assists list. Paul’s 12,099 helpers trail only John Stockton (15,806) in that category.

Wembanyama added 10 rebounds in his return from a two-game absence caused by a sore back. Stephon Castle scored 22 points, Harrison Barnes and Charles Bassey each had 16 and Julian Champagnie netted 12 as the Spurs snapped a three-game losing streak. Bassey also grabbed 12 boards.

Murphy led New Orleans with 25 points, with McCollum adding 19, Dejounte Murray racking up 18 points and 11 assists and Yves Missi amassing 18 points and 14 rebounds. The Pelicans have dropped two straight games and 11 of their past 12.

The Spurs trailed by six after one quarter and leapfrogged to the front at 56-54 when Wembanyama knocked down a 3-pointer at the 4:21 mark of the second quarter. After a McCollum floater tied the game at 56, San Antonio created some separation with an 11-0 run that was punctuated by Paul’s triple with 2:14 to play in the first half.

The Spurs took a 71-62 edge into the break.

–Field Level Media