Wembanyama 18-18 powers Spurs past Pelicans 126-119

Victor Wembanyama delivered one of his most complete two-way performances of the young regular season on November 8, 2025, racking up 18 points and 18 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 126-119 at the Frost Bank Center — with a major subplot unfolding alongside him in the form of De’Aaron Fox’s season debut.

Fox’s return ignites a balanced Spurs attack in a tight first half

The early going was anything but comfortable for San Antonio. New Orleans leaned heavily on Trey Murphy III, who was virtually unstoppable from the opening tip. Wembanyama established himself on the glass immediately, gobbling up possessions and keeping the Spurs afloat while Fox — making his first appearance of the season — needed time to shake off the rust. The Spurs’ depth proved crucial: Devin Vassell contributed 16 points on 4-of-8 from three, and Stephon Castle ran the offense with poise, building toward what would become a remarkable playmaking night.

By halftime, neither team had managed to pull away decisively. Murphy’s brilliance — he would finish with a staggering 41 points, 9 rebounds, and 15-of-22 shooting — kept the Pelicans in every exchange. The n°1 pick of the 2023 Draft, meanwhile, was doing the dirty work: battling on the boards, protecting the rim with 3 blocks, and providing the kind of imposing defensive presence that disrupts offenses even when shots aren’t falling.

A pivotal third quarter shifts momentum toward San Antonio

The third period proved to be the game’s hinge. San Antonio tightened defensively and began to find better looks offensively. Fox settled into a rhythm that recalled why the Spurs acquired him — he would finish with 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting, a plus-minus of +9, and the comfort of a floor general who had been missing from this lineup. Castle’s vision also came into full view: the young guard tallied 13 assists against just a handful of turnovers, orchestrating San Antonio’s half-court sets with impressive composure.

Murphy fights back but Spurs close it out at 126-119

The Pelicans refused to fold. Murphy’s relentless scoring — punctuated by 5 threes and a perfect 6-of-6 from the line — gave New Orleans life deep into the fourth quarter. Javonte Fears added 18 points and Herbert Jones chipped in 15 points with 3 steals, but the collective effort ultimately fell short against a Spurs team that spread its scoring across five players in double figures.

Harrison Barnes provided a steady 15 points on 6-of-8 from the field, and Vassell’s +22 plus-minus underscored just how impactful he was during his stretches on the floor. Final score: Spurs 126, Pelicans 119.

Victor Wembanyama: the defensive anchor behind the double-double

Wemby’s performance

The French phenom’s shooting line — 8-of-19 from the field, 2-of-9 from deep — won’t satisfy the highlight reel crowd, but his 18-rebound, 3-block effort was the backbone of San Antonio’s defensive identity. In 32 minutes, Wembanyama finished with a +5 plus-minus and controlled the paint on both ends. Nights like this one illustrate why the pivot des Spurs is already one of the most complete players in the league regardless of his scoring output.

Team context: a healthier roster takes shape

Fox’s return changes everything for San Antonio’s ceiling. With the All-Star guard now integrated alongside Wembanyama, Castle, Vassell, and Barnes, the Spurs boast a starting five capable of competing with the Western Conference’s best. Castle’s 13 assists suggest a playmaking pipeline that doesn’t rely solely on any one creator — a critical development for a team still defining its identity.

Looking ahead

San Antonio will look to build on this momentum as the regular season calendar intensifies. The Spurs’ ability to win on a night when Wembanyama wasn’t at his sharpest offensively — and when an opponent posted 41 points — speaks to a growing depth and resilience. The next test will reveal whether this balanced approach can hold against stiffer Western Conference competition.