Chris Paul cemented his legacy Sunday night by moving into second place on the NBA’s all-time assists leaderboard, a milestone achieved in a dramatic 121-116 victory for the San Antonio Spurs over the New Orleans Pelicans.
The night wasn’t just about records, as the game featured standout performances, clutch moments, and a slew of injury updates for both teams.
The 39-year-old Paul recorded 10 assists, pushing his career total to 12,099, surpassing Jason Kidd’s 12,091. Paul’s historic assist came in the first half when Victor Wembanyama sank a 25-foot three-pointer, a poetic connection between the seasoned veteran and the Spurs’ rising star.
Wembanyama showcased his resilience and dominance after a brief injury scare early in the game. The rookie phenom, who had missed the prior two games due to lower back soreness, left the court clutching his back less than four minutes into the first quarter. However, he returned in the second quarter and made an immediate impact, finishing with 25 points, including a critical three-pointer in the game’s final moments.
San Antonio snapped its three-game losing streak, thanks in part to Stephon Castle, who contributed 22 points. The Spurs needed every ounce of production from their young core after losing Zach Collins and Keldon Johnson to injuries during the first half. Collins exited following an awkward landing that aggravated his lower back, while Johnson left with a calf injury late in the second quarter.
The game’s turning point came with 37 seconds left on the clock. Clinging to a one-point deficit, Paul orchestrated a key play, finding Wembanyama for a three-pointer that snapped the Spurs’ five-minute scoring drought and gave them a 117-116 lead. It was a decisive blow to the Pelicans, who had mounted a 13-0 run to seize momentum just moments earlier.
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New Orleans’ offense was led by Trey Murphy III, who tallied 25 points, while C.J. McCollum added 19. Dejounte Murray was a double-double machine, contributing 18 points and 11 assists. Yves Missi also made his presence felt with a commanding 18 points and 14 rebounds, keeping the Pelicans in contention until the final buzzer.
Despite their scoring output, New Orleans’ starting five couldn’t match the clutch execution displayed by San Antonio in crunch time. Paul’s veteran leadership shone as he orchestrated key plays and controlled the tempo during pivotal moments.
The Spurs leaned on their defensive grit and timely shot-making to secure the win, even as their roster thinned due to injuries. Castle’s energy and Wembanyama’s poise under pressure were critical in keeping San Antonio afloat against a relentless Pelicans attack.
Learning from the loss
For the Pelicans, the loss underscores the need to tighten up their late-game execution. While they’ve proven capable of scoring in bunches, sustaining defensive intensity in high-pressure scenarios remains an area of improvement.
Paul’s historic achievement serves as a reminder of his enduring excellence over a 20-year career that began with the New Orleans franchise. His ability to elevate teammates, exemplified by his connection with Wembanyama, continues to leave an indelible mark on the game.
The win gives the Spurs a boost of confidence as they prepare to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night. Meanwhile, the Pelicans will look to bounce back when they host the Sacramento Kings on Thursday.
As Paul climbs the all-time assists ladder, only one name remains ahead of him—an inspiring goal for a player whose court vision and basketball IQ have redefined the point guard position. For now, his focus remains on mentoring a young Spurs squad eager to build momentum and learn from his wealth of experience.
