Spurs vs Pelicans Thriller: Rookie Harper Saves the Night in Wild 135–132 Finish 🔥🏀

December 09, 2025
Image Source :: Reginald Thomas II/San Antonio Spurs

Introduction

If you missed Monday’s showdown, you missed a little bit of everything: a blowout, a furious comeback, a rookie seizing the moment, and a finish worth replaying. The San Antonio Spurs edged the New Orleans Pelicans 135–132 on Dec. 8, 2025 — a game that swung back and forth and left both fanbases buzzing. ESPN.com+1

First half: Spurs build a big cushion

San Antonio came out on fire and built what looked like a game-ending lead. The Spurs stretched their advantage into the 20–25 point range by halftime thanks to efficient shooting and balanced scoring. That cushion created a sense that this would be a routine road win for the Spurs — until the second half. Pounding The Rock+1

Second half drama: Pelicans refuse to fold

New Orleans responded the only way it could: by attacking the paint, tightening its defense, and chipping away steadily. The Pelicans produced a dramatic third-quarter surge that erased most of the deficit and ultimately gave them life in the fourth. What started as a rout turned into a classic momentum game. Pounding The Rock+1

The players who mattered

  • Dylan Harper (Spurs) — The rookie finished with a season-high 22 points and drilled the decisive floater with 9.1 seconds left, delivering the winning margin and perhaps the confidence of a lifetime. His late-game composure was the headline play of the night. Reuters+1

  • Harrison Barnes (Spurs) — A steady veteran presence, Barnes led San Antonio with 24 points and helped keep the Spurs afloat during the Pelicans’ run. ESPN.com

  • Derik Queen (Pelicans) — Queen turned in a jaw-dropping performance: 33 points and a triple-double (10 rebounds, 10 assists). It was a breakout night even if it didn’t end in a win. Reuters+1

  • Trey Murphy III (Pelicans) — Murphy paced New Orleans scoring with 32 points and was central to the comeback effort. Pounding The Rock

How the game was decided

After surrendering a double-digit lead, the Spurs weathered a furious Pelicans comeback. With the game tied in the final seconds, Dylan Harper’s go-ahead drive and floater with 9.1 seconds remaining put San Antonio ahead for good. New Orleans had a final look, but the 3-point attempt rimmed out — and that was the ballgame. The final: Spurs 135, Pelicans 132. Reuters+1

What this means for both teams

  • San Antonio Spurs: The win highlights the Spurs’ depth and the potential of their young pieces. They showed they can build big leads — but also exposed a troubling tendency to lose focus in the third quarter. Fixing that stretch will be key if they want to avoid chaotic finishes. San Antonio Express-News+1

  • New Orleans Pelicans: The Pelicans’ ability to claw back from a huge deficit is encouraging, especially with youngsters like Queen producing at a high level. But closing out games and avoiding long losing streaks remain issues for the rebuilding club. Pounding The Rock+1

X tactical takeaways (quick hits)

  1. Momentum swings matter — big halftime leads can evaporate; third-quarter adjustments changed the narrative. Pounding The Rock

  2. Rookie poise is real — Harper showed late-game confidence that bodes well for San Antonio’s future. Reuters

  3. Shot creation vs. defense — the Pelicans generated offense and looks, but defensive lapses in the first half cost them. AP News

Where to watch Spurs vs Pelicans (and similar matchups)

If you’re wondering where to watch San Antonio Spurs vs New Orleans Pelicans games: regional sports networks typically carry local broadcasts (FanDuel Sports Network Southwest / FDSSW for Spurs regional coverage; Gulf Coast Sports Network and local Pelicans partners for New Orleans), and national windows sometimes land on larger national networks. For streaming, NBA League Pass and services like Fubo often carry regional feeds (subject to blackout rules). Check your local listings or the team’s official schedule page for precise channel info. Newsweek+2Sports Media Watch+2

Fan notes: tickets, highlights, and replays

  • The NBA’s official site posted photos and the game recap, and highlight packages are already available on the NBA YouTube channel and official team pages. If you want condensed highlights, the league’s highlight videos and full-game recaps on ESPN or YouTube are the fastest way to relive the final minutes. NBA+1

Final thoughts — why this game mattered

This matchup was more than a single box score. It was a snapshot of two teams at different stages: a Spurs roster finding identity and leaning on young contributors, and a Pelicans group trying to stitch together a rebuild around promising talent. Games like this — big swings, rookie moments, and near-comebacks — are the ones that tell you as much about a team’s trajectory as any preseason projection. For Spurs fans, Harper’s finish is a bright spot. For Pelicans fans, Queen’s triple-double is proof the future has pieces worth building around. Reuters+1

Conclusion

The spurs vs pelicans game on Dec. 8 was the kind of roller coaster night that makes the NBA fun: a dominant start, a heart-pounding comeback, and a rookie delivering under pressure to secure a 135–132 Spurs win. If you’re tracking either team, keep an eye on San Antonio’s third-quarter adjustments and New Orleans’ young core — both will shape how their seasons play out.

References

 

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