Davis, Pelicans rally past Spurs after Aldridge injury

Spurs can't hold onto 15 point third quarter lead

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)

SAN ANTONIO – When Joffrey Lauvergne is your only big guy left to guard the paint against one of the top performers in the league, Anthony Davis, it is going to be a tough night.

Lauvergne got a little help from his teammates and knocked down 14 points, but it was still a tough night.

Recommended Videos



Once again, the San Antonio Spurs were hit with another injury and ended up losing to the New Orleans Pelicans, 121-116.

After scoring eight points LaMarcus Aldridge went up for a block and came down awkwardly on his right ankle in the first quarter. Eventhough he tried to go, he headed for the locker room and did not return suffering a sprained right ankle.

"Obviously we needed our big dog, he is a soldier, he'll fight," said Rudy Gay.

The Spurs were without Kawhi Leonard and Pau Gasol, who was nursing a knee injury.

"I couldn't be more proud of our group. Under very, very tough circumstances they keep fighting," said Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. "A lot of guys are getting a lot of time out there, and hopefully that will pay dividends as the season winds down, really proud of them."

Popovich joined Aldridge in the locker room. He picked up two quick technical fouls just 47 seconds into the third quarter.

"We just have to get everybody healthy at the right time, that's all that matters," Gay said.

Gay looks pretty healthy and led the team with 19 points five rebounds and four assists.

As tough as it is with injuries, the Spurs were still up by 15 late in the third and had a chance to win but did not execute down the stretch. They turned it over several times toward the end.

"We didn't execute well, our defense kind of melted down and we lost," said Manu Ginobili.

"It was sloppy. It's not just one person, it's all of us as a group. We win together, we lose together," said Dejounte Murray, who scored 18 points had nine rebounds and five assists.

That sloppiness also included an inbounds pass by Patty MIlls that was picked off by the Pelicans with the Spurs down 117-116 and 26.1 seconds left.

The Spurs were forced to foul and then had another mistake when they let Davis grab an offensive rebound after Jrue Holiday missed two free throws.

Davis knocked down both his free throws and finished the night with 26 points.

"I just love to win, I know you're not going to win every game but like I said we are at a point in time when its winning time and everybody's got to understand  that it is winning time," said Murray.

San Antonio host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.


About the Author:

David Sears, a native San Antonian, has been at KSAT for more than 20 years.