Depleted Pelicans lose to lowly Spurs

The most important, critical homestand of the season for the New Orleans Pelicans is over.

The result is the Pelicans finding themselves on the critical list to make the playoffs.

That is particularly true after losing to a bad San Antonio team 111-109 Friday night.

Sure, you were without Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Jose Alvarado. To make matters worse, Naji Marshall banged up his shoulder and did not return.

Still, you were at home and favored against a team you should beat and a team you have to beat.

Where is the sense of urgency?

Where is the execution?

Where is the toughness?

Where is the passion?

San Antonio shot 51 percent from the field and outscored New Orleans 51-27 from 3-point range. The Spurs destroyed the Pelicans 36-14 in bench points. Former Pelican Devonte Graham enjoyed burning his former team for 20 points.

New Orleans built a 15-point lead against a bad team and still got a bad result.

It was another third quarter failure, something we have seen way too often from this season’s Pelicans.

Leading 61-51 at the half, the Spurs outscored the Pelicans 35-25 in the third quarter to tie the game and the Spurs led for nearly the final seven minutes of the game.

Malaki Branham nailed a 3-pointer with 6:42 to play in the game to give the Spurs the lead. San Antonio never trailed again.

CJ McCollum once again led New Orleans with 31 points. Jonas Valanciunas did his job well, scoring 26 points with seven rebounds and seven assists. Trey Murphy III scored 16 points but was just 1-of-6 from 3-point range. It was the first 20 point or better game for Valanciunas since Feb. 22 but he battled foul trouble throughout.

Regardless of who is playing, you are at home.

You are at home playing a team that had 18 wins the entire season and had nothing to play for.

You had everything to play for.

After the game, Willie Green said he was extremely proud of his group. His positive attitude and nice words are admirable but there is absolutely nothing to be proud of losing to a bad team at home and going 1-5 at home with the season on the line. Green is a truly nice guy. Right now, it would not be a bad thing to see him say bad things to his team and about his team, to rattle some cages.

Now, a tough road trip begins at Phoenix Sunday against a team battling New Orleans for playoff position and against a team that has dominated the Pelicans.

Will Williamson play or will his finger contusion keep on in street clothes? Is there any hope of Ingram or Alvarado returning anytime soon?

The Pelicans continue to head in the wrong direction in definitive fashion. Something needs to change, change fast and change drastically. It is time to right the ship or to prepare for another play-in spot, a huge disappointment to what was once a very promising season.