Comeback Complete: Pelicans Erase 18-Point Deficit to Stun Timberwolves in Minnesota

For a team staring down the barrel of a fourth straight loss, the New Orleans Pelicans certainly didn’t play like a group ready to fold. On a Friday night in Minneapolis that looked destined to end in frustration, the Pelicans flipped the script, clawing back from an 18-point second-half hole to steal a 119-115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

This wasn’t just a win; it was an exorcism of the bad habits that had plagued them during their three-game skid. When you’re down big on the road against a team like Minnesota—led by the explosive Anthony Edwards—it’s easy to let go of the rope. But New Orleans tightened their grip, finding heroism in unlikely places and leaning on their stars when the lights got brightest.

Pelicans Find Life Beyond the Arc

The box score will tell you they won by four, but the emotional distance covered in the second half was miles long. The Timberwolves, riding high behind Edwards’ 35 points, had pushed their lead to 77-59 early in the third quarter. Target Center was rocking, and the Pelicans looked disjointed.

Then, the shots started falling.

Trey Murphy III was the catalyst New Orleans desperately needed. He finished with 26 points, but it was his barrage from deep late in the third quarter that changed the oxygen in the room. Murphy connected on consecutive possessions, turning a blowout into a ballgame and cutting the deficit to just four. Suddenly, the Pelicans had a pulse.

And they weren’t alone. Rookie Derik Queen, who walked into the arena having made just 10 three-pointers all season, played the game of his life. Queen poured in 17 points, going a perfect 4-for-4 from downtown. In a league where spacing is king, Queen’s unexpected sharpshooting opened up the floor, giving New Orleans the breathing room they hadn’t seen in weeks.

Zion Williamson Takes Over When It Matters Most

While the shooters sparked the rally, Zion Williamson brought the hammer. The Timberwolves simply had no answer for him in the paint. Williamson was a force of nature, connecting on 11 of his 13 shots—all from the post—en route to 29 points.

But his biggest bucket didn’t come from a highlight-reel dunk; it came from grit.

With just under a minute to play, the Wolves had reclaimed the momentum. Bones Hyland buried a three-pointer to put Minnesota up by one with 50 seconds left. The crowd erupted. It felt like the Pelicans’ comeback bid might fall just short.

Zion had other plans. On the ensuing possession, he muscled his way to the rim, finishing through contact for a massive three-point play. The free throw put the Pelicans up 117-115 with 35.5 seconds remaining.

Saddiq Bey Ices the Game

You can’t talk about this win without mentioning Saddiq Bey. The forward was spectacular, dropping a team-high 30 points. But his most crucial contribution came in the dying seconds.

After Anthony Edwards’ potential game-tying shot fell short, it was Bey who ripped down the rebound in traffic. Fouled by Julius Randle with 10.8 seconds left, Bey stepped to the line with the game in the balance. He calmly sank both free throws, pushing the lead to four and effectively ending the night.

It was a total team effort to neutralize a monster night from Edwards and a double-double from Rudy Gobert (12 points, 16 rebounds). The Pelicans’ defense, which looked porous in the first half, clamped down when it mattered, forcing tough shots and securing critical boards.

A Season-Defining Victory?

This win does more than just snap a losing streak for the Pelicans; it serves as a reminder of their ceiling. When this team is clicking—when Zion is dominating the interior, the shooters are confident, and the defense is engaged—they can run with anyone in the West.

The road doesn’t get easier, with a matchup against Sacramento looming on Monday. But for now, the Pelicans can board the plane home knowing they walked into the fire, took Minnesota’s best punch, and lived to tell the tale.