With the Spurs clinging to a 113-111 lead with 1:30 remaining, Johnson won a battle for the rebound of Castle’s missed 3-pointer. Johnson passed it to Vassell, who drained a 3 from 26 feet to extend San Antonio’s lead to 116-111 with 1:03 remaining.

C.J. McCollum had 26 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for the Pelicans, who were without Zion Williamson. The team said the star power forward sat out because of personal reasons. McCollum shot 5 for 12 on 3-pointers,

One bright spot for New Orleans has been Zion Williamson's return from injury in January. The two-time all-star is averaging career-highs in rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks