Timberwolves Seek Dominance As Pelicans Struggle In Minneapolis Clash

The Target Center in Minneapolis was buzzing with anticipation on February 6, 2026, as the Minnesota Timberwolves hosted the New Orleans Pelicans for their third clash of the season. Fans poured into the stands, eager to see if the Timberwolves could keep their momentum rolling or if the struggling Pelicans would find a way to flip the script on their rocky road trip.

Coming into the night, the Timberwolves were riding high, having just notched a gritty 128-126 win over the Toronto Raptors two days prior. That victory was more than just another tick in the win column—it marked Minnesota’s first triumph in Canada since January 2004 and showcased the team’s resilience as they erased an 18-point deficit in the third quarter. Anthony Edwards, the Wolves’ electric star, led the charge with 30 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Bones Hyland chipped in with 20 points and seven boards, while Jaden McDaniels added 19 points of his own. The Timberwolves’ ability to claw back from double-digit holes has been a hallmark this season, as they’ve now pulled off eight such comebacks.

Edwards, in particular, has been on a tear. His 23 consecutive regular-season games with at least 20 points is a franchise record, and his 29.7 points per game with nearly 40% shooting from deep has made him one of the league’s most feared scorers. As Griffin Wong noted, "Any team led by Anthony Edwards—the much-improved Jaden McDaniels, and arguably the league’s best rim protector in Rudy Gobert—is a contender, and the Timberwolves should feel good about their chances despite not trading for Antetokounmpo."

Speaking of trades, the Timberwolves entered the deadline with two main objectives: bolster their playmaking and, in a dream scenario, land Giannis Antetokounmpo. While Antetokounmpo stayed put in Milwaukee, Minnesota did manage to snag Ayo Dosunmu to upgrade their backcourt. They also orchestrated a reunion with veteran Mike Conley, though due to contractual logistics, neither Dosunmu nor Conley was available for this matchup. Julius Randle carried a questionable tag due to a thumb injury, but the rest of Minnesota’s regular rotation was expected to suit up. Rob Dillingham, Enrique Freeman, Leonard Miller, Terrence Shannon, and Rocco Zikarsky were all listed as out.

On the other side, the Pelicans limped into Minneapolis with a 13-40 record and plenty of questions swirling. Their latest setback—a 141-137 overtime loss to the Milwaukee Bucks—dropped them to 0-3 on their four-game road swing. That loss, however, wasn’t without its bright spots. Trey Murphy III exploded for a career-high 44 points, six rebounds, and six assists, draining a franchise-record 12 three-pointers. Murphy joined an elite club, becoming just the eighth player in NBA history to hit at least 12 threes in a game and only the second to do it this season after Stephen Curry. Yet, despite Murphy’s heroics, the Pelicans’ defensive woes were glaring: they allowed the Bucks to shoot a blistering 60.9% from the field and got hammered 62-38 in the paint.

New Orleans’ injury report was lengthy. Trey Alexander (two-way contract), Jose Alvarado (not with team), Hunter Dickinson (two-way contract), and Dejounte Murray (Achilles) were all out. Dalen Terry, recently acquired from the Knicks for Jose Alvarado, was also unavailable. The projected starting five featured Saddiq Bey, Zion Williamson, Derik Queen, Trey Murphy III, and Herb Jones. For Minnesota, the expected starters were Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, and Donte DiVincenzo.

With the Timberwolves sitting at 32-20 and the Pelicans languishing at 13-40, the odds-makers were confident in Minnesota’s chances. The Wolves were 9.5-point favorites with a moneyline of -455, while the point total was set at 236.5. New Orleans, meanwhile, was +350 on the moneyline, facing long odds against a surging opponent.

Defensively, Minnesota has been a force, especially around the rim. Rudy Gobert’s presence has helped the Wolves hold opponents to the fifth-lowest field goal percentage in the restricted area, and his rim protection is considered among the league’s best. "Gobert’s rim protection will be especially critical tonight, given that the Pelicans have attempted restricted-area shots at the league’s highest rate," wrote Wong in his pregame analysis. This interior advantage is complemented by Minnesota’s rebounding prowess—they rank 10th in total rebounding percentage, a significant edge over the Pelicans, who sit at just 23rd.

But it’s not just defense where the Timberwolves shine. Their shooters are poised to exploit a glaring Pelicans weakness: New Orleans has allowed the second-most wide-open three-point attempts in the NBA. With Anthony Edwards and company firing at will, Minnesota’s elite shooting corps could be in for a big night, especially since Conley, who had been shooting a career-low 32.1% from deep, was replaced in the rotation by more efficient gunners. Wong emphasized, "The Pelicans love to give up threes, and that simply won’t fly against the team with arguably the most raw shooting talent in the league."

For New Orleans, the challenges are stacking up. The team has lost seven of its last ten and failed to make significant moves at the trade deadline, despite rumors swirling around players like Trey Murphy III, Jordan Poole, Herbert Jones, Saddiq Bey, and Yves Missi. Joe Dumars, the Pelicans’ decision-maker, seemed content to stand pat, leaving fans and analysts alike scratching their heads. The team’s defense has been porous, especially in transition and on the glass, and their inability to close out on shooters could be a recipe for disaster against Minnesota’s high-octane offense.

Still, there are glimmers of hope. Zion Williamson’s aggressive play could pose problems for Gobert if he’s able to draw fouls and attack the rim relentlessly. The Pelicans also have an edge in second-chance points, even if they give up more than their fair share on the other end. And while Minnesota’s defense is stingy, it can be foul-prone—a factor that New Orleans might try to exploit by pushing the pace and attacking in transition.

As for the season series, Minnesota had already taken the first two meetings back in December and held a 12-7 advantage over New Orleans in their last 19 encounters. The Timberwolves’ recent form—winning five of their last six—only added to the sense that this was their game to lose. The best bet, according to the experts, was Minnesota to cover the 9.5-point spread, a prediction that seemed well-founded given the team’s strengths and the Pelicans’ struggles.

With the game underway and both teams looking to make a statement, all eyes were on the Target Center to see if Minnesota’s stars would shine once again or if New Orleans could finally snap out of its funk. The action was set, the stakes were clear, and the Timberwolves’ faithful were ready for another thrilling night of basketball.