Spurs spoil Queen's first triple-double and hold on to beat the Pelicans 135-132

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Harrison Barnes scored 24 points, rookie Dylan Harper capped a 22-point performance with a go-ahead driving floater with 9 seconds left, and the San Antonio Spurs recovered from losing a 20-point halftime lead to beat the reeling New Orleans Pelicans 135-132 on Monday night.

Rookie Derik Queen led a furious Pelicans comeback bid, scoring 29 of his season-high 33 points in the second half, and adding 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his first NBA triple-double.

De'Aaron Fox, who scored 14 points, hit two free throws with 1.1 seconds left for the final margin, which stood after Saddiq Bey's rushed 3-point shot at the horn bounced off the front rim.

Stephon Castle scored 18 points for San Antonio and Julian Champagnie added 17 points, highlighted by his five 3s.

Both teams' biggest stars — the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama (left calf) and the Pelicans' Zion Williamson (right hip adductor) — watched from the bench. But their teammates provided plenty of entertainment.

Trey Murphy scored 32 for the Pelicans, who stunningly scored 45 points in the third quarter to turn a 20-point deficit into a 102-100 lead heading into the final quarter.

Herb Jones, returning from a right calf injury that sidelined him for eight games, scored 17 points and Bey also scored 17 in New Orleans' seventh straight loss.

The Pelicans opened the second half with an 11-0 run. After Murphy dunked for the third time in the first 6:31 of the third quarter, New Orleans had outscored San Antonio 28-10 and trailed just 87-85.

Queen scored 21 in the period, and his free throws gave the Pelicans a 91-90 lead, their first since the middle of the first quarter.

The Spurs hit 11 3s in the first half, six of them during a 42-point second quarter that gave San Antonio a 77-57 lead at halftime.

The Spurs' first-half point total was their most in any half this season.

Spurs: Visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.

Pelicans: Host Portland on Thursday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie reacts after a three-point basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans center Derik Queen (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (15) tells center Derik Queen (22) to keep his chin up after he missed a last second shot that would have given the Pelicans the lead in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) reacts after a three-point basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

MIAMI (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz wanted to play in front of an energetic crowd at the inaugural Miami Invitational.

The No. 1 men's tennis player got his wish, drawing a roar of applause when he stepped onto the court and electric cheers throughout an exhibition event Monday night at loanDepot Park, the home of Major League Baseball's Miami Marlins.

It was a one-time event — the first time tennis has ever been played at loanDepot Park — and also featured rising Brazilian standout João Fonseca and women's stars Amanda Anisimova and Jessica Pegula.

Alcaraz defeated the 24th-ranked Fonseca 7-5, 2-6, 10-8 in a thrilling singles match, their first time facing each other. Anisimova topped Pegula 6-2, 7-5 earlier in the night. Alcaraz and Pegula also beat Anisimova and Fonseca in a mixed doubles 10-point tie breaker.

“I just expect that the people are going to get entertained by watching us play,” Alcaraz said before the match. “I think it’s unusual watching us play in these kinds of stadiums and court. I’m really excited about playing here with João. I’m just excited to see how people are going to respond.”

The 22-year-old Alcaraz recently wrapped up the 2025 season, ending the campaign with the ATP’s year-end No. 1 ranking, tour-highs of 71 match wins and eight trophies and a pair of Grand Slam titles that lifted his career total to six.

He's still been busy during the exhibition season, which also included an exhibition event in Newark, New Jersey, on Sunday in which Alcaraz played a singles match against two-time U.S. Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe.

“I’m having a lot of fun,” Alcaraz said. “Getting the energy from the people, playing in some places that we are not used to. It's exciting. It’s been great so far, and I’m enjoying it a lot.”

The crowd Monday included Inter Miami stars Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who became MLS champions just a couple days ago in the final match of their decorated careers.

Anisimova, a U.S. Open and Wimbledon finalist this year, and Pegula, who reached the U.S. Open semis, both noted that Monday's exhibition was a great way to prepare for the upcoming season in a new environment.

“I think we love playing tennis and we love competing,” Pegula said. “Being able to change what that looks like a little bit where it's not something we do 95% of the year is always really nice and refreshing for us. I think it's great for the sport. It gives it a diff look for the fans, for everyone that's involved. For players, it kind of keeps us refreshed and kind of brings you back to why you're playing.”

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Former Inter Miami soccer players Jordi Alba, center, and Sergio Busquets, right, sit alongside the court at the Miami Tennis Invitational tournament, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Jessica Pegula hits a return to Amanda Anisimova during the Miami Tennis Invitational tournament, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Amanda Anisimova hits a return to Jessica Pegula during the Miami Tennis Invitational tournament, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Joao Fonseca hits a return to Carlos Alcaraz during the Miami Tennis Invitational tournament, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Carlos Alcaraz reacts after winning the first set against Joao Fonseca during the Miami Tennis Invitational tournament, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)