Zion Williamson scores 29 as Pelicans defeat Timberwolves 119-115 in rare road win
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Zion Williamson scored 29 points and CJ McCollum added 18 for New Orleans as the Pelicans surprised the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 119-115 win on Wednesday night.
The Timberwolves have lost two straight after winning eight in a row. Minnesota is in a battle with Golden State for the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference. Wednesday's loss drops Minnesota a full game behind the Warriors.
After trailing 43-32 in the second quarter, the Pelicans went on a 14-0 run to take a 46-43 lead. The two teams went back and forth for most of the rest of the game but Minnesota never could establish a comfortable lead against the Pelicans.
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 29 points. Julius Randle added 17 and Mike Conley scored 16.
Wednesday's game was New Orleans' first since losing forward Trey Murphy III for the season with a right shoulder injury. Murphy, who averaged 21.2 points per game this year, was injured in Monday's loss to Detroit.
TakeawaysPelicans: While Williamson was the dominant force on offense, he had plenty of help. Six different Pelicans scored in double figures against a Timberwolves team that statistically has been one of the better defenses in the league this season.
Timberwolves: This should have been an easy bounce-back game for Minnesota after Monday's loss to Indiana. Instead, the Wolves couldn't handle a Pelicans team with just six road wins all season prior to Wednesday.
Key momentTrailing by two points late, Minnesota couldn't corral a defensive rebound in the final minute. New Orleans instead grabbed its 11th board of the game, allowing Williamson to put in a layup with 13.1 seconds remaining to send Timberwolves fans to the exits.
Key statEdwards was cold from the floor, shooting just 5 of 19 — including 1-for-9 on 2-point field goals.
Up nextThe same two teams play again Friday in Minneapolis.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Topics
-
Zion Williamson blitzes Minnesota as Timberwolves drop second straight
Anthony Edwards received one heck of a blueprint for how to dominate a basketball game on Wednesday night at Target Center. Zion Williamson used his physicality to dominate the game, getting easy ...Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Vassell scores 22 points and Spurs hold off Pelicans, who were without Williamson
Devin Vassell scored 22 points and the San Antonio Spurs held on to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 119-115 on Saturday night. Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes each had 19 points for San Antonio ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Banchero & Wagner leads Magic to comfortable win over Pelicans
Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner combined for 61 points as the Magic defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 113-93 Thursday night.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Timberwolves rally to beat Magic 118-111 for their 7th straight victory
Anthony Edwards scored 28 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied to beat the Orlando Magic 118-111 on Friday night for their seventh straight victoryABC News - 5d -
Banchero scores 34 points and Magic build a 30-point halftime lead in a 113-93 rout of the Pelicans
Paolo Banchero had 34 points, 11 rebounds and four steals, and the Orlando Magic beat the New Orleans Pelicans 113-93 on Thursday night. Franz Wagner added 27 points, six rebounds and five ...Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Timberwolves rally to beat Magic 118-111 for their 7th straight victory
Anthony Edwards scored 28 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied to beat the Orlando Magic 118-111 on Friday night for their seventh straight victory. Down 90-82 with 10:23 left, Minnesota ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Timberwolves dominate the Jazz: Takeaways from Minnesota’s eighth straight win
Minnesota has a few clunkers on its resume against cellar dwellers this season, but it was evident early in its bout against Utah that Sunday would not produce another. Anthony Edwards scored 21 ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Timberwolves rally in the fourth to win seventh straight
The Timberwolves trailed by 11 points early in the fourth quarter and trotted out their usual reserve lineup of Mike Conley, Rudy Gobert, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo. ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
The Kings hand the Cavaliers their 3rd straight loss with a 123-119 win
DeMar DeRozan scored 27 points and the short-handed Sacramento Kings handed the Cleveland Cavaliers their third straight loss with a 123-119 victory on Wednesday night. DeRozan made back-to-back ...Yahoo Sports - 7h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
How William & Mary's unlikely women's NCAA Tournament bid started with one senior's speech
William & Mary was losing, a lot. Then, senior Bella Nascimento made a speech. Now, The Tribe begins NCAA tournament play. Here's the improbable storyYahoo Sports - 25m -
Former Bucs offensive coordinator and NFL QB Byron Leftwich joining Colorado's staff as an assistant
Colorado recently added Marshall Faulk as its running backs coach.Yahoo Sports - 25m -
March Madness in Cleveland | Today's live updates ahead of Friday's NCAA Tournament games
Eight men's college basketball teams practice today at Rocket Arena ahead of their March Madness games in Cleveland. Get live updates here.Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Kansas City Chiefs re-sign DL Marlon Tuipulotu to a new deal
According to multiple reports, defensive lineman Marlon Tuipulotu is returning to the Kansas City #Chiefs | @EdEastonJrYahoo Sports - 26m -
Hamilton dismisses talk of frustration with Ferrari after excessive radio chatter
Lewis Hamilton denied there's frustration with Ferrari race engineer Ricciardo Adami despite frequently shutting down unnecessary radio chatter between them at the Australian Grand Prix. “Everyone ...Yahoo Sports - 28m
More in Sports
-
On Dodgers' Japan trip, Shohei Ohtani is everywhere and nowhere
The star is omnipresent in ads across his home country, but fan fervor keeps the real Ohtani out of sight.ESPN - 21m -
Men's March Madness storylines: Cooper Flagg's impact and SEC dominance
How has the industry reacted to the bracket? There's plenty at stake in one of the year's biggest betting events.ESPN - 23m -
Why betting the NCAA tournament is completely different from filling out your bracket
Greg Peterson explains the major differences in betting the tournament vs. filling out brackets.ESPN - 23m -
Source: Amorim to make call on Sancho future
Manchester United will let Ruben Amorim decide Jadon Sancho's future in the unlikely event that the England forward returns to Old Trafford, a source has told ESPN.ESPN - 24m -
McKennie: U.S. needs 'nastiness' in CNL defense
United States midfielder Weston McKennie said it's "about time" that the U.S. brings some "nastiness" to its game ahead of Thursday's Concacaf Nations League semifinal against Panama.ESPN - 24m