Pelicans vs. Spurs: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

The New Orleans Pelicans (28-41) play against the San Antonio Spurs (43-43) at AT&T Center Game Time: 8:30 PM EDT on Friday March 18, 2022 New Orleans Pelicans 22, San Antonio Spurs 7 (Q1 04:15) What’s the buzz on Twitter? Oleh Kosel @ OlehKosel …

The New Orleans Pelicans (28-41) play against the San Antonio Spurs (43-43) at AT&T Center

Game Time: 8:30 PM EDT on Friday March 18, 2022

New Orleans Pelicans 22, San Antonio Spurs 7 (Q1 04:15)

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
20-7 lead out of the gates for the New Orleans Pelicans. Jaxson Hayes and Jonas Valanciunas have dominated the Spurs so far, combining for 13 points. – 8:53 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
The Spurs enter 4-39 when trailing by double digits – 8:48 PM
New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
JV w/ the hot hand is right 🔥
📺: @BallySportsNO
📻: @ESPNRadioNOLA pic.twitter.com/McDXX3khg8 – 8:47 PM

Jeff McDonald @JMcDonald_SAEN
That double-digit deficit came early for the Spurs, down 14-4 out of the gate. Valanciunas had New Orleans’ first nine points. Building record could be in jeopardy! – 8:46 PM
Will Guillory @WillGuillory
Jonas Valanciunas has scored the first 9 points of the night for the Pels. He’s come out with it on his mind to go at Poeltl – 8:43 PM
New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
JV off to a hot start 🔥🔥 – 8:43 PM
Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
Josh Primo in line for quite a few minutes tonight in a meaningful game, let’s see what he does with them. – 8:41 PM
Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
With Richardson a late scratch due to a tight calf, Primo will start in his place, per Spurs. – 8:39 PM
San Antonio Spurs @spurs
let’s get this fiesta started 🤙
#PorVida pic.twitter.com/iAAUzslymS – 8:37 PM

Jeff McDonald @JMcDonald_SAEN
Pelicans: Graham, McCollum, Jones, Hayes, Valanciunas
Spurs: Murray, Primo*, Vassell, Johnson, Poeltl
* — in place of the injured Josh Richardson – 8:36 PM
Jim Eichenhofer @Jim_Eichenhofer
Random fact: the five times in franchise history that the #Pelicans won a regular season game in San Antonio, they also made the playoffs (2018, 2015, 2011, 2008, 2004) – 8:22 PM
Will Guillory @WillGuillory
Pelicans starters tonight:
Devonte’ Graham
CJ McCollum
Herb Jones
Jaxson Hayes
Jonas Valanciunas – 8:13 PM
New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Starting 5 in San Antonio 🖐️
#Pelicans | @Verizon pic.twitter.com/vEuZ1OahZ2 – 8:10 PM

Christian Clark @cclark_13
Starters:
Devonte’ Graham
CJ McCollum
Herb Jones
Jaxson Hayes
Jonas Valanciunas – 8:09 PM
Will Guillory @WillGuillory
There’s no mistaking it: This is a really big game for the Pels.
With a win, they open up a 2.5-game lead over the Spurs with 12 games left on the schedule.
A loss would drop the Pels’ lead to half a game and give San Antonio the tiebreaker. – 8:00 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Josh Richardson is out tonight per Spurs with left calf tightness – 7:56 PM
New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Follow all the #Pelicans big plays on the Pelicans app presented by @Verizon — plus stats, video, stories, pictures and more! #WBD pic.twitter.com/Hurskl2AH1 – 7:40 PM

New Orleans Pelicans PR @PelicansPR
Jose Alvarado (Left Finger Laceration) and Devonte’ Graham (Right Hip Soreness) have been upgraded to AVAILABLE for tonight’s game at San Antonio. – 7:31 PM
Jim Eichenhofer @Jim_Eichenhofer
Devonte’ Graham and Jose Alvarado are both still questionable for tonight’s game in San Antonio – 7:16 PM
CJ Holmes @CjHolmes22
Warriors’ Payton, Wiggins, Bjelica return to practice, could play against Spurs
https://t.co/UZ1An0WKfX pic.twitter.com/pIjxQeUmYQ – 7:15 PM

Will Guillory @WillGuillory
Willie Green says he expects Devonte’Graham and Jose Alvarado to play tonight, but he won’t know for sure until they complete their pregame warmups – 7:11 PM
New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Make your Pelicans Pick N’ Roll predictions before halftime for a shot at a $200 team shop gift card courtesy of @CaesarsRewards! 💰
Check it out on the home page of the Pelicans app: https://t.co/2LbNOG6ixX pic.twitter.com/CcXntNi8iT – 7:09 PM

Christian Clark @cclark_13
Asked Willie Green if he anticipates Brandon Ingram being available on this three-game road trip: “I’m not sure. He wasn’t feeling well before we left. We kept him at home.” – 7:09 PM
Christian Clark @cclark_13
Willie Green sounded optimistic about Devonte’ Graham and Jose Alvarado playing tonight, but didn’t give a firm yes. Both were listed as questionable. – 7:06 PM
Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_Lopez
Willie Green says he anticipates Jose Alvarado and Devonte Graham (both questionable) will be able to play tonight but won’t know for sure for another 30-40 mins.
Mentions he doesn’t know if Ingram (non-COVID illness) will join team on this road trip. – 7:05 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
“It’s a meaningful game for our group. Both teams are trying to play to get into the playoffs.” – Pelicans Head Coach Willie Green on tonight’s upcoming game against the Spurs – 7:04 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Josh Richardson is still a game time decision. Coach Pop wasn’t sure yet if he would play tonight. – 6:56 PM
Jeff McDonald @JMcDonald_SAEN
With DeMar DeRozan and three other top scorers gone in the past year, offense was supposed to be an issue for the Spurs this season.
Instead, they are on pace for the highest-scoring season of the Gregg Popovich era.
expressnews.com/sports/spurs/a… via @expressnews – 6:29 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Records for the Lakers (9), Pelicans (10), Spurs (11), and Blazers in last 15 games:
Lakers 3-12
Pelicans 6-9
Spurs 7-8
Blazers 5-10 – 6:24 PM
Zac Boyer @ZacBoyer
Kansas’ Bill Self said he and Greg McDermott go back to the days when McDermott was at Iowa State. His reputation was that his team could score and be defensive-minded. #kubball – 5:11 PM
San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Whole squad 💯🎨 (via designsbyjaymien/IG)
Keep submitting your #SpursFanArt for a chance to be featured at the AT&T Center in April for our Fan Appreciation Night ➡️ https://t.co/RK6y9aGBy0
@Sprite | #PorVida pic.twitter.com/NqECoohtcS – 5:00 PM

Zac Boyer @ZacBoyer
Creighton coach Greg McDermott: Ryan Kalkbrenner’s not only one of the best on our team at protecting the rim, he’s one of the best in the country, so to think anyone would be able to fill that role wouldn’t be fair to Keyshawn Feazell. #kubball – 4:42 PM
Zac Boyer @ZacBoyer
Creighton coach Greg McDermott said Ryan Kalkbrenner’s injury is “not as significant as was first thought.” It is not to his ACL, but will still require two or three months of recovery time. #kubball – 4:36 PM
Zac Boyer @ZacBoyer
Creighton coach Greg McDermott said the Bluejays have to slow Kansas’ transition game, rebound better and make 3-pointers. (They are dreadful at 3-point shooting this season.) #kubball – 4:34 PM
Zac Boyer @ZacBoyer
Creighton coach Greg McDermott said the Bluejays are down to three transfers and four freshmen in terms of scholarship players following Ryan Kalkbrenner’s injury. #kubball – 4:31 PM
Zac Boyer @ZacBoyer
Creighton coach Greg McDermott: “We’re in a position with a short bench to just let it rip and see what happens.” #kubball – 4:29 PM
Zac Boyer @ZacBoyer
Creighton coach Greg McDermott said it’s not only a heck of a challenge to play Kansas, but it’s especially one to play one “without the anchor of our defense” in center Ryan Kalkbrenner. #kubball – 4:28 PM
Jake Madison @NOLAJake
Locked On Pelicans is live! @Impatientbull and @adaniels33
takeover!
🏀 Takeaways from Phoenix game
🏀 Which player would you clone?
🏀 Larry Nance Jr’s impact in the locker room
🎧 https://t.co/BETlDzBFEv
Watch on YouTube!
📺 https://t.co/4DBES9YyFq pic.twitter.com/LRz9wVlQvn – 3:30 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Two great nicknames, both describe KJ perfectly! Which is your favorite? 🐎😤
@SociosUSA | #PorVida – 3:04 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Spurs now say Josh Richardson is questionable to play tonight with left calf tightness.
Joe Wieskamp is available to play tonight – 2:59 PM