Timberwolves Break Pelicans' Four-Game Winning Streak With Fourth-Quarter Surge
Ayo Dosunmu and Jaden McDaniels combined for 49 points as Minnesota outscored New Orleans 38-30 in the final period to secure a 115-109 victory.
By Justin Brooks ·
The Minnesota Timberwolves ended the New Orleans Pelicans' four-game winning streak on Friday night with a decisive fourth-quarter performance. The visitors defeated the home team 115-109 in an NBA Cup West Group B contest.
Ayo Dosunmu led the Minnesota scoring effort with 26 points, while Jaden McDaniels contributed 23 points. LaMelo Ball added 22 points and eight assists for the Timberwolves. Jonathan Kuminga finished with 17 points, and Rudy Gobert recorded eight points and 11 rebounds.
New Orleans relied on Jeremiah Fears, who scored a team-high 24 points. Karlo Matkovic added 18 points, and Saddiq Bey provided 17 points. Zion Williamson finished with 13 points and eight rebounds, while Trendon Watford scored 12 points and Trey Murphy III added 10.
The Pelicans built early momentum, with Matkovic scoring 16 points in the first quarter to help New Orleans take a 30-27 lead. Minnesota responded in the second quarter, outscoring the Pelicans 30-21 to hold a 57-51 halftime advantage.
Zion Williamson, who was held to just two points in the first half, ignited a 12-0 run late in the third quarter. His eight points in that stretch put New Orleans ahead 73-66 with 4:26 remaining in the third period. The Pelicans led 79-77 entering the fourth quarter after holding Minnesota to 26.1% shooting from the field in the previous frame.
Saddiq Bey narrowed the gap to 104-99 with a three-pointer in the fourth quarter. The Pelicans missed their next two shots, allowing Dosunmu to hit a three-pointer and McDaniels to make two free throws. That sequence gave Minnesota a 10-point lead with 1:32 remaining.
Minnesota maintained the advantage despite a late surge. Jeremiah Fears scored with 12 seconds left to cut the deficit to 113-109. Jonathan Kuminga dunked on the final possession to seal the margin. Trey Lyles recorded a season-high 13 rebounds, and the Timberwolves finished the game without backup center Joan Beringer, who suffered a nasal fracture in the second quarter.
