Timberwolves ruin Zion Williamson’s return to Pelicans

Field Level Media|published: Tue 7th January, 22:57 2025

NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves at New Orleans Pelicans

Jan 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) passes against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Anthony Edwards scored 32 points and the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves spoiled Zion Williamson's return by defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 104-97 on Tuesday night.

Julius Randle scored 16, Naz Reid had 13 points and 12 rebounds, Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 11 points and Donte DiVincenzo added 10 for the Wolves.

Dejounte Murray scored 29 points in his first game with Williamson, who scored 22 points in his return from a 27-game absence due to a strained hamstring. Williamson added six rebounds, four assists and three steals in 28 minutes.

Jose Alvarado added 13 points and Herbert Jones 10 for New Orleans.

Williamson scored four points and Murray added three as New Orleans tallied the first seven points of the second half to take a 61-54 lead. Randle made a dunk for Minnesota's first points, but the Pelicans extended the lead to eight before Edwards scored seven points to help give the Wolves a 65-64 lead.

Murray's field goal ended the run, but Jaden McDaniels and DiVincenzo each made a 3-pointer and Minnesota took a 75-66 lead. New Orleans pulled within two before Alexander-Walker made a 3-pointer and Randle converted a three-point play to give the Wolves an 83-75 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Reid made two baskets, and Minnesota quickly pushed the lead to 12 in the fourth quarter. New Orleans got within three with 29.1 seconds left, but Edwards made four free throws.

The Wolves scored the first seven points of the game and made five 3-pointers in opening a 23-10 lead. The Pelicans made five 3-pointers and briefly took a two-point lead before Alexander-Walker made a 3-pointer that gave Minnesota a 34-33 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Wolves scored the first six points of the second quarter before CJ McCollum and Daniel Theis each made a 3-pointer during a 7-0 run that tied the score at 45. Murray made two 3-pointers during a 10-0 run that gave New Orleans a 50-45 lead.

Edwards scored five points during a 9-2 Wolves run before Murray beat the buzzer with a jumper that tied the score 54-54 at halftime.

--Field Level Media

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