Ayo Dosunmu scored 26 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves held off the New Orleans Pelicans 115-109 on Friday night to remain unbeaten in NBA Cup play.
Dosunmu shot 8-of-14 from the field, including four three-pointers, and went a perfect 6-of-6 at the free-throw line. Jaden McDaniels added 23 points, while LaMelo Ball finished with 22 points and eight assists.
Minnesota improved to 7-3 overall and 2-0 in NBA Cup group play. The Pelicans fell to 4-5, seeing their four-game winning streak end in their Cup opener.
New Orleans briefly moved ahead 89-87 when Dejounte Murray connected from three-point range with 7:55 remaining. Ball answered with five consecutive points, sparking a 10-2 Minnesota run that gave the visitors a 97-91 advantage.
The Timberwolves maintained their lead through the final minutes to secure the six-point victory. Ball’s scoring and playmaking helped Minnesota respond when the Pelicans threatened to take control.
Jeremiah Fears led New Orleans with 24 points and five assists. Saddiq Bey added 17 points, while Karlo Matkovic contributed 18 points, including four three-pointers.
Zion Williamson finished with 13 points and eight rebounds, well below his 21.5-point season average entering Friday. Trey Murphy III added 10 points and five assists.
Minnesota made five three-pointers in the opening quarter and jumped out to a 13-5 lead. New Orleans answered with a 17-4 run, fueled by three triples from Matkovic, and took a 24-22 advantage on a Fears basket.
The Timberwolves finished with 12 three-pointers and shot 43% from the field. They also controlled the glass, collecting 49 rebounds to New Orleans’ 41.
The result keeps Minnesota perfect through two NBA Cup games, while the Pelicans will look to respond after their winning streak ended.
The Timberwolves host Utah on Sunday, November 8, while the Pelicans visit the Los Angeles Clippers that night.
