Timberwolves top Pelicans 104-97 in Zion Williamson’s thunderous return, as Anthony Edwards showcased his scoring prowess with a remarkable 32-point game, including seven three-pointers. This victory for the Minnesota Timberwolves came on Tuesday night, dampening the excitement surrounding Williamson’s comeback after a lengthy 27-game absence.
Williamson, who had been recovering from a left hamstring strain, made a solid impact with 22 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block in 27 minutes, marking his seventh appearance of the season.
Former Pelican Julius Randle added 16 points, while Naz Reid, a standout from LSU, contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota. The Timberwolves maintained control throughout the game, leading by as many as 13 points. Rudy Gobert also made his presence felt with 14 rebounds and six blocks.
Edwards got off to a hot start, hitting four three-pointers and scoring 14 points in less than seven minutes. This performance marked the ninth time he surpassed the 30-point threshold this season, solidifying his role as a key player for the Timberwolves.
Dejounte Murray led the Pelicans with 29 points, but CJ McCollum struggled significantly, shooting just 1-of-14 after his impressive 50-point game just two matches prior. As a result, New Orleans faced their 21st loss in 24 games.
Takeaways
For the Timberwolves, Donte DiVincenzo continued to fill in as point guard, starting for the second consecutive night in place of Mike Conley, who saw limited minutes off the bench for only the second time in his 132-game tenure with the team. DiVincenzo contributed 10 points, while Conley added eight.
Key moment
A pivotal moment came during a 19-2 run in the third quarter, where Edwards hit a free throw and two three-pointers, flipping a 64-57 deficit into a 75-66 lead in under four minutes. From that point forward, the Timberwolves never looked back.
Key stat
Edwards displayed exceptional shooting skills, finishing the game with an impressive 63.6% from beyond the arc.
Up next
Looking ahead, the Timberwolves are set to visit Orlando on Thursday, while the Pelicans will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.
