Saddiq Bey poured in 30 points, including two clutch free throws with 10.8 seconds remaining, as the New Orleans Pelicans erased an 18-point second-half deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 119-115 on Friday night.
Zion Williamson was nearly unstoppable in the paint, finishing with 29 points on 11-of-13 shooting, while Trey Murphy III added 26 as the Pelicans snapped a three-game losing streak.
Minnesota briefly regained the lead when Bones Hyland knocked down a 3-pointer with 50 seconds left, but Williamson answered with a three-point play to put New Orleans ahead 117-115 with 35.5 seconds to go. After Anthony Edwards came up short on the tying attempt, Bey secured the rebound and was fouled by Julius Randle, calmly sinking both free throws to seal the comeback.
Edwards led all scorers with 35 points, including 23 in the first half. Randle finished with 24 points and Rudy Gobert posted a double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds for Minnesota.
The Timberwolves appeared in control early in the second half, building a 77-59 lead early in the third quarter. That cushion began to shrink late in the period when Murphy drilled back-to-back 3-pointers, and New Orleans completed the rally in the fourth as Bey scored five straight points to tie the game at 102.
Pelicans rookie Derik Queen provided a major boost off the bench, scoring 17 points while going a perfect 4 for 4 from beyond the arc after entering the night with just 10 made 3-pointers all season.
Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels spent much of the night battling foul trouble, picking up his third foul early in the second quarter and his fourth early in the third. The situation forced coach Chris Finch into a variety of lineups, including extended minutes for seldom-used Johnny Juzang.
New Orleans consistently punished Minnesota inside, with Williamson anchoring an attack that proved too much down the stretch.
Up next:
The Pelicans host Sacramento on Monday, while the Timberwolves return home to face the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
