Minnesota Timberwolves beat New Orleans Pelicans 115-109 as Ayo Dosunmu scores 26

Ayo Dosunmu scored 26 points, Jaden McDaniels added 23, and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the New Orleans Pelicans 115-109 at Smoothie King Center on Friday, November 6, in Emirates NBA Cup Group Play. Minnesota improved to 7-3 and 2-0 in the Cup. New Orleans fell to 4-5, ending a four-game winning streak.

Dosunmu shot 8-of-14, 4-of-6 from three and 6-of-6 at the line in 39 minutes. LaMelo Ball scored 22 with 8 assists and was plus-23, and Jonathan Kuminga had 17 points and 8 rebounds. Minnesota played without Anthony Edwards (knee).

MINNESOTA IMPROVED TO 2-0 IN @emirates NBA CUP GROUP PLAY LAST NIGHT 🏆

Ayo Dosunmu: 26 PTS, 4 AST, 4 3PM
Jaden McDaniels: 23 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST, 2 BLK
LaMelo Ball: 22 PTS, 8 AST, 3 3PM pic.twitter.com/XZ6OWUCKnz

— NBA (@NBA) November 7, 2026

Video: NBA / X.

How it turned

The game had 13 lead changes. Minnesota made five threes in the first quarter, but Karlo Matkovic hit three of his own in a 17-4 New Orleans run, and the Pelicans led 30-27 after one. The Wolves led 57-51 at halftime, and New Orleans took a 79-77 edge into the fourth.

Dejounte Murray’s three put the Pelicans up 89-87 with 7:55 left. Ball answered with five straight points to start a 10-2 run that made it 97-91, and Minnesota led the rest of the way, winning the fourth 38-30.

LAMELO DIME TO GOBERT 👏

Smooth handles to set up the jam! pic.twitter.com/WTBwPqE6XZ

— NBA (@NBA) November 7, 2026

Video: NBA / X.

New Orleans’ side

Jeremiah Fears led the Pelicans with 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting. Matkovic scored 18 with four threes, and Saddiq Bey added 17. Zion Williamson, averaging 21.5 points coming in, finished with a season-low 13 and 8 rebounds. New Orleans had 30 fast-break points but was outrebounded 49-41 and drew three technical fouls. Attendance was 17,767.

ZION LOB FROM HALF-COURT TO TREY MURPHY III 💥 pic.twitter.com/S4l1t2nslv

— NBA (@NBA) November 7, 2026

Video: NBA / X.

What’s next

Both teams play Sunday, November 8. The Timberwolves host the Utah Jazz at 7 p.m. ET (2 a.m. Monday Cairo time), and the Pelicans visit the LA Clippers at 9 p.m. ET (4 a.m. Monday Cairo time).

Full box score and play-by-play: Game Center. All-time head-to-head.