MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Zion Williamson scored 29 points and CJ McCollum added 18 for New Orleans as the Pelicans surprised the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 119-115 win on Wednesday night.
The Timberwolves have lost two straight after winning eight in a row. Minnesota is in a battle with Golden State for the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference. Wednesday's loss drops Minnesota a full game behind the Warriors.
After trailing 43-32 in the second quarter, the Pelicans went on a 14-0 run to take a 46-43 lead. The two teams went back and forth for most of the rest of the game but Minnesota never could establish a comfortable lead against the Pelicans.
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 29 points. Julius Randle added 17 and Mike Conley scored 16.
Wednesday's game was New Orleans' first since with a right shoulder injury. Murphy, who averaged 21.2 points per game this year, was injured in .
Takeaways
Pelicans: While Williamson was the dominant force on offense, he had plenty of help. Six different Pelicans scored in double figures against a Timberwolves team that statistically has been one of the better defenses in the league this season.
Timberwolves: This should have been an easy bounce-back game for Minnesota after Monday's loss to Indiana. Instead, the Wolves couldn't handle a Pelicans team with just six road wins all season prior to Wednesday.
Key moment
Trailing by two points late, Minnesota couldn't corral a defensive rebound in the final minute. New Orleans instead grabbed its 11th board of the game, allowing Williamson to put in a layup with 13.1 seconds remaining to send Timberwolves fans to the exits.
Key stat
Edwards was cold from the floor, shooting just 5 of 19 — including 1-for-9 on 2-point field goals.
Up next
The same two teams play again Friday in Minneapolis.
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AP NBA:
Tyler Mason, The Associated Press
