San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson instructed reporters that his group was dealing with some psychological fatigue after a 130-117 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night time. After two days of relaxation and the return of some key gamers, the Spurs will get an opportunity to show the ship round in opposition to the league-worst New Orleans Pelicans, as they proceed their four-game highway journey.
Stephon Fortress and Luke Kornet are each questionable for Monday’s contest, however are anticipated to play. Notably, Fortress, Kornet, Jordan McLaughlin, and Victor Wembanyama had been full individuals in follow over the weekend. San Antonio might be at full well being very quickly. Monday’s sport might be a superb tune-up sport for among the beat-up Spurs, because the Pelicans might be with out three of their prime 5 scorers.
San Antonio has already crushed New Orleans twice this yr, however in these video games, the Silver and Black skilled simply how bodily this motivated younger group could be. Trey Murphy III is a budding star, and rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen are fearless. Kornet and Fortress can be massively precious as they will bolster a Spurs protection that gave up 44 third-quarter factors on Friday night time. San Antonio might use this sport to achieve some momentum as they head into their NBA Cup matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night time.
December 8, 2025 | 7 PM CT
Watch: Peacock / FanDuel SW | Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Stephon Fortress – Questionable (hip), Harrison Ingram – Out (G League), Jordan McLaughlin – Out (hamstring), Luke Kornet – Questionable (ankle), Victor Wembanyama – Out (calf), Riley Minix – Questionable (G League)
Pelicans Accidents: Hunter Dickinson – Out (G League), Herbert Jones – Questionable (calf), Dejounte Murray – Out (achilles), Jordan Poole – Out (quad), Zion Williamson – Out (adductor)
The ball can be within the Pelicans’ star’s palms on Monday. Murphy III is able to large scoring explosions. He had 41 factors within the Spurs’ final matchup with New Orleans. He’s averaging 20.5 factors and about three triples per contest. San Antonio might should throw an additional defender at him, or be bodily and aggressive in not letting him get open appears from three. The Pelicans aren’t a very nice offensive group (twenty sixth in offensive score), however they’ve sufficient expertise to get sizzling. Murphy III might be a galvanizing power. The Spurs can be tasked with ensuring he doesn’t take over the sport.
The third quarter of the Cleveland sport boiled all the way down to an absence of consideration to element. San Antonio misplaced their man, failed to speak screens, and wasn’t bodily on the level of assault, amongst different points. It was an entire breakdown on the Spurs’ half. New Orleans doesn’t have the identical stage of offensive expertise as Cleveland, but it surely has younger gamers who’ve confirmed they will rating. Kornet and Fortress returning must be a giant assist. San Antonio might want to lock in on that finish to get a win on the highway.
After lacking the final 9 video games, Fortress is anticipated to play on Monday. It will be protected to imagine he’ll come again to the beginning lineup, with Julian Champagnie heading to the bench. It’ll be fascinating to see if the Spurs put him on a minutes restriction or play an prolonged bench like they’ve been to cut back his minutes within the first sport again. No matter his taking part in time, the Spurs might use one other downhill attacker, playmaker, and perimeter defender. Fortress might help in all of these departments. He was taking part in nicely earlier than he obtained harm, too. Fortress is averaging 17.3 factors, 7.5 assists, and 5.8 rebounds whereas taking pictures 49.7% from the sphere this season.
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