T-Wolves Dominate Undermanned Pelicans

New Orleans has now lost three straight games on the year.

The Pelicans have three straight losses after being blown out by the Minnesota Timberwolves 122-101 on Wednesday evening. New Orleans' record drops to 4-4 on the season after starting the year winners of four of their first five games. The team knew it would be a tall task against the Wolves, who have now won four straight games. New Orleans played without six key players, including three starters on the night.

CJ McCollum is out indefinitely as he recovers from an injury to his lungs. Zion Williamson missed the game for personal reasons. He traveled to see the birth of his daughter. Herb Jones was a pregame scratch after injuring his fibula in Monday night's loss to the Nuggets. Without those key members and battling a Wolves team with the No. 1 defense in the NBA, New Orleans would need to be near perfect to have a chance in the game.

The first quarter started with Minnesota jumping out to a 17-6 lead, forcing Pelicans Coach Willie Green to call a timeout. The Wolves made five of their first six three-point shots in his first five minutes. New Orleans made a run to make the game respectable after the first quarter. Brandon Ingram scored 8 points in the quarter, and the Pelicans cut the Wolves lead to 28-24 after 12 minutes of play. 

Minnesota then flexed its muscle in the second quarter, starting on a 20-9 run that was capped by a monster alley-oop from Anthony Edwards to Rudy Gobert. The Target Center crowd roared to its feet, and for all intent and purpose, the game was over. Minnesota made 14 three-point shots in the first half, the most the Pelicans have surrendered to an opponent all season in the first half. 

Nov 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) dribbles against the New Orleans Pelicans in the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Wolves assisted on 21 of their 27 made shots in the half and shot 62% from the field. Minnesota won the second quarter 44-20, marking the third straight game New Orleans has allowed an opponent to score at least 40 points in a quarter. With the Wolves up 72-44 at halftime, the Pelicans were just focused on getting out of the game healthy moving forward.

New Orleans used the second half as an opportunity to get some guys some meaningful playing time. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, who the Pels signed last week to a two-way contract, played well in his time on the court. He finished with 11 points and nine rebounds on the night. Brandon Ingram played through three quarters and finished with 24 points, six rebounds, and three assists.

The Wolves were led in scoring by their All-Star forward Anthony Edwards, who scored 26 points on the evening. All five of the Timberwolves starters scored in double-figures. Pelicans rookie Jordan Hawkins scored 14 points, and Matt Ryan finished with 12.

New Orleans continues its road trip this Friday when they travel to Houston to take on the Rockets in the Pelicans' first In Season Tournament game.