Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much.
It’s the 23rd game of the season, and the third meeting between the Silver and Black and the Crescent City crew. The Spurs won both previous contests, but they were close, with the first one going to overtime and the second game within three points in the last minute before the Spurs pulled out a seven point win with De’Aaron Fox scoring the final four points. The Pelicans have a pair of outstanding rookies in the starting lineup, with Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, one of the league’s elite scorers in Trey Murphy III, not to mention that they also have Herb Jones, who is a top defender. With all of that talent, it’s hard to understand how they are stuck at the bottom of the standings in the Western Conference with a 3-21 record, but they’ve had quite a bit of turmoil with the uncertainty related to Zion Williamson (injured again) and a coaching change early in the season. James Borrego is currently in charge, and he’s another former Spur who could earn himself a long term job by making a good showing this year.
The big Spurs news tonight is that Stephon Castle is expected to return to the lineup, although likely on a minutes restriction after is injury. After his absence from the Cavaliers debacle, Luke Kornet should also return tonight, to give the Spurs some needed rim protection. It’s tempting to look at tonight’s game as a tune-up for Wednesday’s NBA Cup duel between the Spurs and Lakers, but as we’ve seen from the previous two games, the Pelicans are capable of making things uncomfortable for Mitch’s gang. If they come out flat, like they did in the second half of the Cavs game, it could be a bad night at the Smoothie King Center. You just don’t want to give the King Cake Baby any reason to celebrate, because that’s the stuff of nightmares. Let’s go Spurs!
Personal Note: As it’s my birthday, I will miss watching the game live, but if anyone is in South Austin, you can drop by Lala’s South Pole and share a Christmas-themed libation with me.
Keldon Johnson will smash into the King Cake Baby while chasing the ball out of bounds and the costume will break, revealing a king cake inside the baby. Inside the king cake will be another baby, and so on …
San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Pelicans
December 8, 2025 | 7:00 PM CT
Streaming: NBA League Pass
TV: FanDuel Sports Southwest
Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
