Timberwolves Beat Pelicans 115-109

Ayo Dosunmu scored 26 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 115-109 on Friday night. The visiting team outscored the hosts 38-30 in the final period to secure the win in an NBA Cup West Group B matchup.

Jaden McDaniels added 23 points for Minnesota. LaMelo Ball contributed 22 points and eight assists. Jonathan Kuminga finished with 17 points, while Rudy Gobert recorded eight points and 11 rebounds. Trey Lyles grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds. The Timberwolves have won three consecutive games and four of their last five.

Jeremiah Fears led the Pelicans with 24 points. Karlo Matkovic scored 18 points, and Saddiq Bey added 17. Zion Williamson recorded 13 points and eight rebounds. Trendon Watford scored 12 points, and Trey Murphy III finished with 10. New Orleans had won its previous four games.

The Pelicans led 30-27 after the first quarter, helped by 16 points from Matkovic. Minnesota took control in the second quarter, outscoring New Orleans 30-21 to lead 57-51 at halftime. Williamson scored eight points during a 12-0 run to give the Pelicans a 73-66 lead with 4:26 left in the third quarter.

New Orleans held Minnesota to 6-of-23 shooting in the third quarter, leading 79-77 at the start of the fourth. The Timberwolves played the second half without backup center Joan Beringer, who left the game in the second quarter with a nasal fracture.

Lyles dunked with 3:55 remaining to close a 15-4 run and put Minnesota ahead 102-94. Bey hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to five points with 2:53 left. New Orleans missed its next two shots. Dosunmu hit a three-pointer, and McDaniels made two free throws to extend the lead to 10 points with 1:32 remaining.

Fears scored with 12 seconds left to make it 113-109. Kuminga dunked on the subsequent possession to seal the final margin.