Naji Marshall #8 of the New Orleans Pelicans shots over Cedi Osman #16 of the San Antonio Spurs in the first half at Frost Bank Center on December 17, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. Photo: Ronald Cortes / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
The Spurs finally ended their 18-game losing streak on Friday night with a 129-to-116 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at Frost Bank Center, but then lost again on Sunday afternoon. The New Orleans Pelicans came to town and crushed the Spurs, 146-to-110. The Pelicans racked up a franchise record 22 three-pointers in the win. The Spurs try again on Tuesday against the Bucks in Milwaukee. Tipoff at Fiserv Forum is at 7 p.m.
SPURS POSTGAME QUOTES
Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich:
(Opening Statement…)
“All right. Well, let's see. That's what you call an ass-whooping. Pure and simple. Drop the mic. Period. Full stop, all that kind of stuff. They had a great night shooting. We couldn't throw it in the ocean. But on top of shooting well, they played very well. We weren't as sharp as we needed to be and got whipped real good.”
Spurs Forward Cedi Osman
(On the defensive play tonight…)
“It was tough. It was tough. The first five minutes, we were playing great. Then we kind of lost our energy. I think that it was just their day, I would say. I don’t know how many threes – like 23, 24 threes with a high percentage, and we couldn’t respond offensively. That hurts. It's tough to stay in a game when they shoot with a high percentage. We were trying our best, but it was not a good game for us. We have to forget this game as soon as possible and focus on another game against Milwaukee. It's going to be another tough game for us.”
(On his individual play and consistency…)
“I'm just trying to bring the spark off the bench. I'm trying to make the right play. If that's a pass, that's a pass. [If] it's a shot, it's a shot. I’m just trying to bring the spark off the bench, especially in these kinds of games. I'm trying to do more, so I can bring guys back into the game. Obviously, not by forcing a game just do whatever is the right for the team. Basically, that's it. But it doesn’t matter. When we win and I play good, then it's fine. We lose and I play good, [it] doesn't matter.”
Spurs Forward Victor Wembanyama
(On what went wrong early and if it was due to a loss of energy…)
“Definitely started with a run on their side. They’ve been shooting very well, and we haven’t. We haven’t been shooting very well tonight, so we need to make that extra effort on defense. If it was indeed a lack of energy, it’s something that’s easy to correct, and we need to do it right away.
(On the challenges they could face on the upcoming three-game road trip …)
“Getting back on the road personally is going to be getting back to the routine, sleeping early despite the traveling and as the team is going to be staying focused on the scouting report and you know, we’re underdogs, taking every game like it’s the last one and compete every night.”
(On facing Giannis Antetokounmpo Tuesday night)
“He is probably one of the players I have studied the most and I love the way he’s playing because he’s always aggressive and he’s scary for his opponents. I’m trying to take a lot of examples from him and I’m very excited to play against the Bucks. It’s going to be very, very interesting.”