In a game marked by the absence of their star players, the New Orleans Pelicans found themselves overpowered by the Minnesota Timberwolves, falling 122-101. The Pelicans were notably without their two leading scorers, with Zion Williamson sitting out for personal reasons and CJ McCollum sidelined for the second consecutive game due to a collapsed lung.
The offensive struggles for the Pelicans were evident from the tip-off. Brandon Ingram was one of the few bright spots for New Orleans, leading the team with 24 points, 17 of which came in the first half. However, the Pelicans couldn’t find a way to consistently generate offense throughout the game, shooting just 38.7% from the field. The absence of key contributors was acutely felt as the team dropped its third consecutive game after starting the season 4-1.
On the opposing side, the Timberwolves capitalized on the opportunity presented by the depleted Pelicans roster. Anthony Edwards shone with a 26-point performance, complemented by a season-high eight assists. Karl-Anthony Towns added 23 points on efficient 9-of-12 shooting, while Rudy Gobert dominated the boards with 17 points and an impressive 20 rebounds. The win marked the Timberwolves’ fourth consecutive victory, highlighting their growing momentum.
With this loss, the Pelicans now face a challenging road ahead as they look to regroup and recover from their recent setbacks. They will try to bounce back when they face the Houston Rockets on Friday night, hoping to regain their winning form in a season that has proven to be a rollercoaster ride so far.
