Published: 03:04 GMT, 9 December 2024 | Updated: 03:04 GMT, 9 December 2024
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Chris Paul moved into second place on the NBA's career assists list, Victor Wembanyama came back from an injury scare to score 25 points and the San Antonio Spurs held on to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 121-116 on Sunday night.
Paul had 10 assists, giving him 12,099 for his career and moving him past former Phoenix and Dallas star Jason Kidd (12,091).
Stephon Castle added 22 points for San Antonio, which snapped a three-game skid.
Wembanyama left the game with 8:59 remaining in the first quarter when he clutched his lower back. He had missed the previous two games with lower back soreness. But he returned to Sunday's game with 9:34 remaining in the second quarter.
Trey Murphy III scored 25 points and C.J. McCollum had 19 for the Pelicans. Dejounte Murray added 18 points and 11 assists and Yves Missi had 18 points and 14 rebounds.
Pelicans: New Orleans' starting five scored 92 points.
San Antonio Spurs' Chris Paul runs upcourt during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Spurs: San Antonio lost Zach Collins and Keldon Johnson to injuries in the first half. Collins exited midway through the first quarter with a lower back injury when he landed on his right hip after fouling and tumbling over Murray on an attempted rebound. Johnson suffered a left calf injury with 7:11 remaining in the half.
Paul assisted on Wembanyama´s 3-pointer with 37 seconds remaining to snap a five-minute scoring drought and put the Spurs up 117-116. Prior to Wembanyama´s 3, the Pelicans had a 13-0 run to take a 116-114 lead with a minute remaining in the game.
The 39-year-old Paul moved into second place when the 20-year-old Wembanyama made a 25-foot 3-pointer with 7:06 remaining in the first half against New Orleans, the franchise where his 20-year career began.
Pelicans: Host Sacramento on Thursday night.
Spurs: At Portland on Friday night.
\_\_\_
AP NBA: [https://apnews.com/NBA](https://apnews.com/NBA)
The San Antonio Spurs display a graphic congratulating Spurs guard Chris Paul for surpassing Jason Kidd for second all-time NBA assists, during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) waves to fans after surpassing Jason Kidd for second most all-time NBA assists, during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama (1) goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans' Yves Missi during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
New Orleans Pelicans' Dejounte Murray (5) shoots against San Antonio Spurs' Jeremy Sochan (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs' Jeremy Sochan (10) dunks against New Orleans Pelicans' Trey Murphy III (25) and Yves Missi, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs' Devin Vassell (24) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)