SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Zion Williamson scored 30 points and tied a career high of 15 boards for the New Orleans Pelicans, who beat the coach-less San Antonio Spurs 117-99 on Friday night. Gregg Popovich.
Jonas Valanciunas had 21 points and 11 rebounds for New Orleans, which has won three straight and eight in 10 games to maintain its lead in the Southwest Division, with Memphis close on its heels.
San Antonio has lost 10 straight games and tied the team’s longest losing streak on record in 1987.
Popovich was at the AT&T Center but missed the game due to a minor medical procedure, according to the Spurs.
He also won’t be on the bench for Sunday’s home game against Phoenix.
Former Philadelphia coach Brett Brown led the Spurs in the absence of Popovich, who added to San Antonio’s disabled list.
For the Pélicans, Puerto Rican José Alvarado played 24 minutes, in which he had 7 points and 7 boards.
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