De’Aaron Fox makes his long-awaited season debut on Saturday when the San Antonio Spurs host the infirmary-ridden New Orleans Pelicans. It will be the second night of a back-to-back for the Spurs, while
their guests last played on Wednesday. Even with NOLA’s absences, they can’t be taken lightly because there’s an NBA phenomenon of undermanned teams upsetting opponents.
Considering how the season started, it would be a massive blow to San Antonio’s credibility if they play poorly in a tune-up.
San Antonio Spurs (6-2) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (2-6)
Nov. 8, 2025, 7:00 PM CT
Watch: FanDuel SW | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs injuries: Not due until 1PM
Pelicans injuries: Zion Williamson (left hamstring strain) — out; Dejounte Murray (Achilles) — out; Yves Missi (illness ) — out; Jordan Poole (left quad strain) — out; Hunter Dickinson (G League) — out; Trey Alexander (G League) — out
What to watch for
Fox and Wembanyama lashing coverages
It wouldn’t be very Spurs-like for them to force-feed Fox, but he will get plenty of burn playing within the offense. He should also get some easy looks on the baseline or the slot moving off Stephon Castle’s penetration. Additionally, despite Wembanyama only averaging one screen assist per game, count on the Spurs upping their screen-roll and hand-off frequency to get Fox looks in the half-court. Harrison Barnes will be the happy recipient of shots in the corner when Fox and Wemby decide to run two-man actions.
One of the other sets that should make Fox extra lethal is when Wemby decides to initiate offense up court. Defenses naturally key in on the man with the ball, allowing for someone with speed to get free easily on a cut.
Don’t be surprised if the best defender on Wemby is Herb Jones, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward. He doesn’t have the size to bother the release point, but has the foot speed to stay with the dribble plus quick hands to swipe at it. The Miami Heat already tried guarding him with smaller players to disrupt his dribble, but Jones being stronger could have more success.
What’s left of NOLA
The Pelicans may be an average 3-point shooting team, but they are much sharper at piecing the heart of the defense. They attack through screen rolls using multiple weapons: Jose Alvarado and rookie Jeremiah Fears, who averages 5.1 attempts per game. Alvarado is a proficient shooter in this set and cannot be left in drop coverage, but Fears can because he makes 30 percent of 3-point tries.
They’ll probably start Kevon Looney at center, but all he’ll be able to do is be a physical force against Wemby around the basket. The Pelicans will be at a severe disadvantage when he sits because the next true big man option to come in would be what’s left of DeAndre Jordan.
NOLA is also one of the slower teams in the NBA, like the Spurs, but they differ after that because they collectively can’t guard a parked car. Ball and body movement is going to tear them apart like meat going through a grinder.
Trey Murphy III getting extra usage
Murphy will be the biggest threat for NOLA, and the Spurs can expect him to touch the ball at least 60 times. He only averages 2.1 dribbles per touch, which means that most of his attempts are catch-and-go moves up close or quick shots off the catch. Interestingly, his volume in the corners has dropped to 3.4 percent of 3-point tries, which should make it easier to guard him. The Spur checking him still has to lock and trail well over screens because Murphy’s accuracy plummets when a defender gets within four feet.
