Stephen Lew-Imagn Images Zion Williamson comes into town on the second game of a back-to-back. It hasn’t been an easy few days for the San Antonio Spurs. After finding out they’ll lose De’Aaron Fox for the rest of the season due to finger surgery, the Spurs lost to the Charlotte Hornets 145-134. They’ll have a shot to bounce back against another bottom-dwelling team, the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pels have looked better since getting Zion Williamson back from injury but still are missing key contributors from their roster, like Herbert Jones and Dejounte Murray. If Yves Missi missed Saturday’s game (he is questionable with an ankle injury), they’ll be missing another starter. Much like Charlotte, the Pelicans struggle defensively, which means the Spurs could be in for another shootout. San Antonio can even up the season series with the Pelicans. They lost the last two matchups with New Orleans. They’ll need to step up their defensive game to take down the Pels. San Antonio Spurs (27-38) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (18-49) March 15th, 2025 | 7:30 PM CT Watch: KENS5 | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM) Spurs Injuries: The injury report is not released until 1 p.m. CT Pelicans Injuries: Brandon Boston Jr. – Out (ankle), Keion Brooks Jr. – Out (G League), Herbert Jones – Out (shoulder), Yves Missi – Questionable (ankle), Dejounte Murray – Out (Achilles), Lester Quinones – Out (G League) What to watch for: Guarding the three San Antonio allowed Charlotte to make a franchise-high 26 three-pointers, shooting 56.5% from three. They had no answer for the hot-shooting Hornets. The Pelicans have shooters that can similarly make them pay. CJ McCollum, Jordan Hawkins, and Trey Murphy III are all sharpshooters from three. The Spurs will need to run shooters off the line in this potential shootout. Dealing with the wings The Spurs will have their hands full with the Pelicans swingmen. Williamson and Murphy III are one of the best wing duos in the NBA. Williamson looks spry and is playing with a lot of force right now. Murphy III is a sharpshooter who can create for himself off the bounce. San Antonio can throw solid wing defenders like Jeremy Sochan and Julian Champagnie at them, but they may not be able to shut them down. It’ll take all hands on deck to slow down New Orleans’ wings. A look at the young guys? The end of the Spurs bench got some playing time on Friday night, thanks to the blowout. With San Antonio fully in tank mode, these last 17 games may be the best time to get a look at some of the younger, fringe players on the roster. Harrison Ingram, Blake Wesley, and Malaki Branham should see some playing time in the closing months of the season. The second game of a back-to-back could be the perfect time to give them some extended run. ...read more read less