The New Orleans Pelicans visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night at Target Center with both teams managing key injuries that could shape rotations and matchups. Minnesota enters the game sixth in the Western Conference at 32-20, while New Orleans sits 14th at 13-40.
The most significant absence for the Pelicans remains Dejounte Murray, who is out with a right Achilles rupture. Jose Alvarado is also listed out for being not with the team amid reported trade to the New York Knicks. Two-way players Trey Alexander and Hunter Dickinson remain unavailable due to G League assignments.
With Murray sidelined, New Orleans continues to rely on Trey Murphy III and Zion Williamson as scoring anchors. Murphy leads the team with 22.1 points per game while averaging 3.2 made three-pointers, and Williamson adds 21.4 points with strong interior efficiency at 57.4 percent shooting.
The Timberwolves’ injury report centers on Julius Randle, who is questionable with left thumb soreness. Randle averages 22.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists.
Terrence Shannon Jr. is ruled out with a left foot abductor hallucis strain, while Rob Dillingham and Leonard Miller are listed as not with the team. Enrique Freeman and Rocco Zikarsky are also unavailable due to G League assignments.
If Randle cannot play, Anthony Edwards is expected to carry a larger offensive workload. The All-Star guard leads Minnesota with 29.7 points per game and shoots 49.4 percent from the field.
The Timberwolves enter the matchup after a 128-126 road win over Toronto. New Orleans, meanwhile, is coming off an overtime loss to Milwaukee in which defensive lapses allowed 141 points.
The Timberwolves have won both meetings between the teams this season, including a 149-142 shootout in December.
