The New Orleans Pelicans have put a disappointing In-Season Tournament exit behind them to upset the Timberwolves 121-107 and snap their six-game winning streak.
Zion Williamson (36 points, 13-of-17 shooting, +36) was fantastic for New Orleans just a game on from the lowest two-game scoring stretch of his NBA career.
Brandon Ingram (20 points, five assists) and C.J. McCollum (23 points, 4-of-7 threes) also starred whilst Jonas Valančiūnas (14 points, 13 rebounds) and Herb Jones (seven points, 10 rebounds) proved key as well.
A back-and-forth opening half saw the Pelicans take a seven-point lead into the half which ballooned out to 15 courtesy of a hot start to the third.
Minnesota clawed their way back into the contest thanks to a 20-9 run only for 31-21 fourth quarter to sway the game back the way of the Pelicans.
With Anthony Edwards (hip) sidelined for Minnesota, it was up to the supporting cast to step up offensively and they were largely unable to do so.
Karl-Anthony Towns (17 points, 5-of-11 shooting), Mike Conley (17 points, seven assists), and Naz Reid (17 points, six assists) top-scored for the visitors but it proved in vain with New Orleans pulling off an important win.
The Timberwolves are back in action in Dallas on Friday whilst New Orleans will head to the nation’s capital on Thursday.
