Thrilling Comeback Victory
In a thrilling comeback on Friday night, the New Orleans Pelicans triumphed over the Minnesota Timberwolves with a score of 119-115, despite facing a daunting 18-point deficit during the second half of the game. The standout performance came from Saddiq Bey, who netted 30 points, including crucial free throws with just 10.8 seconds left in the game.
Key Player Contributions
Zion Williamson was also pivotal for the Pelicans, contributing 29 points, while Trey Murphy III added 26, helping to end a three-game losing streak for New Orleans.
The action intensified as Minnesota briefly seized a one-point lead thanks to a three-pointer from Bones Hyland with 50 seconds remaining. However, Williamson responded magnificently, converting a three-point play to give the Pelicans a 117-115 advantage with 35.5 seconds on the clock. Anthony Edwards, who led the Timberwolves with an impressive 35 points—23 of which were scored in the first half—missed a crucial attempt, allowing Bey to secure the rebound. Bey was then fouled by Julius Randle, setting up the late-game free throws that sealed the victory. Randle finished with 24 points, while Rudy Gobert contributed with 12 points and 16 rebounds.
Rookie Performance
The game saw Pelicans rookie Derik Queen shine with a notable performance, as he scored 17 points and impressively went 4 for 4 from beyond the arc, a sharp contrast to his overall season performance prior to this game.
Game Dynamics
Minnesota had initially dominated with a significant lead of 77-59 early in the third quarter, before the Pelicans began to chip away at it, highlighted by Murphy hitting back-to-back three-pointers late in the third which brought the deficit down to four. As the game progressed, Bey’s five consecutive points tied the score at 102 in the fourth quarter.
Notably, the Timberwolves struggled defensively against Williamson, who was highly efficient inside, making 11 out of 13 shots taken in the paint. Jaden McDaniels faced foul troubles, limiting his impact and forcing Coach Chris Finch to experiment with various player combinations, including giving underutilized Johnny Juzang a season-high 10 minutes on the court.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, the Pelicans will host the Sacramento Kings on Monday, while the Timberwolves will prepare to face the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
