Pelicans rout Spurs; set franchise record for 3-pointers

After defeating Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs 146-110 on Sunday, the New Orleans Pelicans set a franchise milestone with 22 3-pointers. CJ McCollum scored 29 points, Brandon Ingram added 26, and the team as a whole recorded 26 assists.

The Spurs suffered their fourth defeat by a 36-point margin or greater this season, a stark contrast to last season's seven such losses under Gregg Popovich.

"Tonight, their shooting was exceptional. We just couldn't seem to hit anything," Popovich remarked. "But beyond their shooting, they played outstandingly. We weren't as precise as we needed to be and ended up getting thoroughly beaten."

Despite the setback, Wembanyama shone brightly, showcasing his talent with 17 points and 13 rebounds. His performance, witnessed by former San Antonio All-Star Tony Parker—Wembanyama's childhood idol turned mentor marked his eighth consecutive double-double, eclipsing Dwight Howard's previous NBA record for a teenager set in 2005.

During a halftime ceremony honoring Parker with a Hall of Fame designation on his retired jersey, the Spurs fans at the Frost Bank Center found a moment for sustained celebration on Sunday.

Wembanyama, amid the game, raised his right arm in triumph after sinking a crucial 3-pointer, narrowing New Orleans' lead to 58-49 with just 53 seconds left in the first half. However, Brandon Ingram quickly silenced the crowd with his own 3-pointer nine seconds later.

This scenario reflected the Pelicans' dominance throughout the game, evident in their 22-for-42 success rate from beyond the arc.

Following their loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the In-Season Tournament semifinals, the Pelicans have rallied, securing four consecutive victories.

"We're on a winning streak," remarked Zion Williamson. "Winning has a way of resolving everything."

The Spurs' defeat came two days after breaking an 18-game losing streak with a triumph over the Lakers. San Antonio's record stands at 2-19 since November 1st, holding a 4-20 overall record, placing them at the bottom of the Western Conference and only above Detroit (2-24) in the league.

Despite having the league's youngest roster, Wembanyama emphasized the importance of consistency over youth.

"While youth might play a part, it's not an excuse," Wembanyama stated. "Every team aims for consistency. We're working on it, no excuses."

Wembanyama displayed his skills early in the game with two successful shots a sweeping hook past Ingram and a powerful two-handed dunk.

Although the Pelicans had a shaky start, missing their initial five attempts, they quickly regained momentum, establishing a 20-point lead in the first half. The Spurs have found themselves trailing by 20 points in eight games this season, managing only one win from such deficits.

"Initially, we were strong in the first five minutes, but then we lost our momentum," commented the Spurs' Cedi Osman. "I think it was simply their day."

Williamson contributed 15 points to the Pelicans' victory.

"Our approach is to focus on executing our responsibilities," emphasized Pelicans coach Willie Green. "For us, it all starts with defense—challenging shots and closing out possessions."

Next in line:

Pelicans: Hosting Memphis on Tuesday.

Spurs: Visiting Milwaukee on Tuesday.