As the San Antonio Spurs prepare to face the New Orleans Pelicans, mental fatigue weighs heavily on the team following a recent loss. Head coach Mitch Johnson reported that the Spurs experienced a challenging 130-117 defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, with a couple of days off and the return of several key players, the Spurs look to rebound during their four-game road trip.
Injury Updates and Player Returns
Stephon Castle and Luke Kornet are listed as questionable for the matchup with the Pelicans, although both are anticipated to participate. Notably, Castle, Kornet, along with Jordan McLaughlin and Victor Wembanyama, participated fully in practice over the weekend. This hints at a near-full roster for San Antonio soon.
Spurs’ Performance Against the Pelicans
- San Antonio has already defeated New Orleans twice this season.
- In those games, the Spurs faced a physically intense matchup against motivated young players.
- Notable stars on the Pelicans include Trey Murphy III, who recently scored 41 points against the Spurs.
As the Spurs gear up for their encounter with New Orleans, they have an opportunity to improve momentum ahead of their NBA Cup game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night.
Injury List Overview
| Team | Player | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Spurs | Stephon Castle | Questionable (hip) |
| Spurs | Jordan McLaughlin | Out (hamstring) |
| Spurs | Luke Kornet | Questionable (ankle) |
| Pelicans | Herbert Jones | Questionable (calf) |
| Pelicans | Zion Williamson | Out (adductor) |
Strategies for the Game
San Antonio’s defense will need a boost against a Pelicans squad that has young, capable scorers. Murphy III’s rising talent makes him a focal point. The Spurs may need to double-team him or apply aggressive pressure to limit his scoring opportunities.
The Spurs’ recent struggles were largely due to a lack of communication and physicality during the Cleveland game. Addressing these issues will be crucial against New Orleans, who, despite being ranked 26th in offensive efficiency, has sufficient talent to score in bursts.
Conclusion
The upcoming game against the Pelicans presents the Spurs with a chance to regain confidence and establish a stronger performance on the road. With key returnees expected to play, they aim to build momentum for their subsequent challenges in the NBA season.
