Game ID: 22500321
Minnesota Timberwolves @ New Orleans Pelicans
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT1 Final
NOP 25 43 35 26 13 142MIN 31 27 42 29 20 149
MIN @ NOP ScoutingMIN @ NOP Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
NOP availability going into 11/24 · 1 day's restOUT Poole missed 10 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 13 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 3 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 16 since 10/24, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 11/19 after 8, 29 min since (99% of 30)
BACK McGowens back 11/16 after 2, 15 min since (72% of 21)
BACK Looney back 11/19 after 2, 10 min since (66% of 15)
NOP availability going into 11/26 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 2 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 11 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 14 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 4 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 17 since 10/24, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 11/19 after 8, 29 min since (99% of 30)
BACK McGowens back 11/22 after 2, 19 min since (89% of 21)
BACK Looney back 11/19 after 2, 10 min since (66% of 15)
NEW Peavy 15 to 20 min over the last 5
NEW Hawkins 14 to 19 min over the last 4
NOP availability going into 11/29 · 2 days' restOUT Jones missed 3 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 12 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 15 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 5 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 2 since 11/24, returns tonight: 10 min (71% of 15)
OUT Alexander missed 18 since 10/24, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 11/19 after 8, 30 min since (102% of 30)
BACK McGowens back 11/22 after 2, 17 min since (81% of 21)
NOP availability going into 11/30 · back-to-backOUT Jones missed 4 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 13 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 16 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 6 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 19 since 10/24, returns tonight: 21 min (172% of 12)
BACK McGowens back 11/22 after 2, 19 min since (92% of 21)
BACK Looney back 11/29 after 2, 10 min since (71% of 15)
NEW Peavy 15 to 23 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/02 · 1 day's restOUT Murphy III missed 2 since 11/29, returns tonight: 41 min (115% of 36)
OUT Jones missed 5 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 14 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 17 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 7 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 2 since 11/29, returns tonight: 22 min (163% of 14)
BACK McGowens back 11/22 after 2, 22 min since (106% of 21)
BACK Looney back 11/29 after 2, 13 min since (88% of 15)
BACK Alexander back 11/30 after 19, 21 min since (172% of 12)
NEW Peavy 15 to 26 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/04 · 1 day's restOUT Williamson missed 2 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 6 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 15 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 18 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 8 since 11/19, returns tonight: 18 min (126% of 15)
BACK Murphy III back 12/02 after 2, 41 min since (115% of 36)
BACK Looney back 11/29 after 2, 12 min since (85% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/02 after 2, 22 min since (163% of 14)
BACK Alexander back 11/30 after 19, 16 min since (133% of 12)
NEW Alvarado 22 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Missi 20 to 26 min over the last 4
NEW Peavy 15 to 25 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/06 · 1 day's restOUT Williamson missed 3 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 7 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 16 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Missi missed 2 since 12/02, returns tonight: 18 min (89% of 20)
OUT Jordan missed 19 since 10/31, out tonight
BACK Murphy III back 12/02 after 2, 37 min since (105% of 36)
BACK Matković back 12/04 after 8, 18 min since (126% of 15)
BACK Looney back 11/29 after 2, 12 min since (85% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/02 after 2, 19 min since (141% of 14)
BACK Alexander back 11/30 after 19, 12 min since (101% of 12)
NEW Fears 26 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW McGowens 21 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Peavy 15 to 24 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/08 · 1 day's restOUT Williamson missed 4 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 8 since 11/22, returns tonight: 26 min (90% of 28)
OUT Poole missed 17 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 20 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 2 since 12/04, out tonight
BACK Murphy III back 12/02 after 2, 37 min since (103% of 36)
BACK Missi back 12/06 after 2, 18 min since (89% of 20)
BACK Matković back 12/04 after 8, 15 min since (99% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/02 after 2, 18 min since (129% of 14)
BACK Alexander back 11/30 after 19, 12 min since (101% of 12)
NEW Fears 26 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Alvarado 22 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW McGowens 21 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Peavy 15 to 23 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/11 · 2 days' restOUT Williamson missed 5 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 18 since 11/05, returns tonight: 26 min (108% of 24)
OUT Jordan missed 21 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 3 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 2 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Murphy III back 12/02 after 2, 37 min since (104% of 36)
BACK Jones back 12/08 after 8, 26 min since (90% of 28)
BACK Missi back 12/06 after 2, 13 min since (64% of 20)
BACK Matković back 12/04 after 8, 12 min since (83% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/02 after 2, 14 min since (103% of 14)
NEW Queen 25 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Alvarado 22 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW McGowens 21 to 28 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 11/24 · 2 days' restOUT Shannon Jr. missed 9 since 11/05, returns tonight: 7 min (52% of 14)
MIN availability going into 11/26 · 1 day's restOUT Hyland missed 2 since 11/21, out tonight
BACK Shannon Jr. back 11/24 after 9, 7 min since (52% of 14)
MIN availability going into 11/29 · 2 days' restOUT Hyland missed 3 since 11/21, out tonight
BACK Shannon Jr. back 11/24 after 9, 12 min since (86% of 14)
MIN availability going into 11/30 · back-to-backOUT Hyland missed 4 since 11/21, returns tonight: 2 min (9% of 16)
BACK Shannon Jr. back 11/24 after 9, 14 min since (98% of 14)
MIN availability going into 12/02 · 1 day's restBACK Hyland back 11/30 after 4, 2 min since (9% of 16)
BACK Shannon Jr. back 11/24 after 9, 13 min since (95% of 14)
MIN availability going into 12/04 · 1 day's restBACK Hyland back 11/30 after 4, 2 min since (9% of 16)
BACK Shannon Jr. back 11/24 after 9, 12 min since (87% of 14)
NEW Edwards 35 to 40 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 12/06 · 1 day's restOUT Hyland missed 2 since 12/02, out tonight
MIN availability going into 12/08 · 1 day's restOUT Hyland missed 3 since 12/02, returns tonight: 16 min (99% of 16)
MIN availability going into 12/12 · 3 days' restBACK Hyland back 11/30 after 4, 9 min since (54% of 16)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 123, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Williamson at 24 and Bey at 20 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Murphy III (2 straight), Jones (5 straight), Poole (14 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 40 from three, 25 free throws a game; Edwards at 37 and Randle at 17 a game. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 114 a night to New Orleans's 123 and the turnovers, Minnesota giving it away 15 times a game to New Orleans's 12. Call it Minnesota 117, New Orleans 115, New Orleans keeping it close.
11/24 vs CHI 143-130 — NOP notes
NOP won 143-130. NOP shot 51% (53 of 104) to CHI's 52%, 13 of 35 from three. NOP turned it over 10 times to CHI's 17. The glass went 55-33 for them. Williamson led with 29 (8 of 14, 13 of 16 at the line); Murphy III added 20, Bey 20. The hinge was Q2, 37-28: a lead of 7 became 16, and the lead reached 22. Murphy III was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
11/26 vs MEM 128-133 — NOP notes
NOP lost 128-133 in 1 overtime. NOP shot 50% (50 of 101) to MEM's 54%, 19 of 45 from three. Alvarado led with 24 (9 of 15, 6 of 11 from three); Bey added 18, Williamson 17. Q1 was theirs, 39-25, but the other 4 periods went 108-89 against them. They led by as many as 17.
11/29 @ GSW 96-104 — NOP notes
NOP lost 96-104. NOP shot 37% (32 of 86) to GSW's 41%, 7 of 30 from three, and went to the line 34 times to GSW's 20 — 25 points from the stripe to their 16. Williamson led with 25 (8 of 16, 9 of 10 at the line); Bey added 21, Fears 16. Q3 was theirs, 34-31, the deficit cut from 4 to 1, but the other 3 periods went 73-62 against them. They led by as many as 10. Queen's -17 in 16 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/30 @ LAL 121-133 — NOP notes
NOP lost 121-133. NOP shot 51% (46 of 91) to LAL's 48%, 13 of 26 from three, and got to the line 20 times to LAL's 39. McGowens led with 23 (9 of 18, 3 of 5 from three); Bey added 22, Fears 21. Q3 was theirs, 35-31, the deficit cut from 20 to 16, but the other 3 periods went 102-86 against them. Queen's -22 in 28 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/02 vs MIN 142-149 — NOP notes
NOP lost 142-149 in 1 overtime. NOP shot 55% (50 of 91) to MIN's 50%, 12 of 21 from three, and went to the line 35 times to MIN's 29 — 30 points from the stripe to their 25. Murphy III led with 33 (11 of 21, 4 of 8 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); Bey added 22, Queen 21. Q2 was theirs, 43-27, turning a 6-point deficit into a 10-point lead, but the other 4 periods went 122-99 against them. They led by as many as 15. Queen's -17 in 39 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/04 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 130, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 27 free throws a game; Williamson at 24 and Murphy III at 22 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Williamson (2 straight), Jones (6 straight), Poole (15 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 120, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 24 free throws a game; Edwards at 38 and Randle at 16 a game. That is 3 straight wins. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 120 a night to New Orleans's 130. Call it Minnesota 122, New Orleans 119, New Orleans keeping it close.
12/06 @ BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Brooklyn comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 112, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; Clowney at 18 and Wolf at 12 a game. Without Thomas (14 straight), Traore (8 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 129, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Murphy III at 22 and Bey at 21 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Williamson (3 straight), Jones (7 straight), Poole (16 straight). One day's rest.
So: Brooklyn wins, and the game turns on the defense, Brooklyn allowing 112 a night to New Orleans's 129 and the turnovers, Brooklyn giving it away 17 times a game to New Orleans's 12. Call it Brooklyn 119, New Orleans 114.
12/08 vs SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 126, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 27 free throws a game; Murphy III at 26 and Bey at 21 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Williamson (4 straight), Jones (8 straight), Poole (17 straight). One day's rest. San Antonio comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 124, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 26 free throws a game; Fox at 25 and Vassell at 22 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Castle (9 straight), Wembanyama (10 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: San Antonio wins, on the road, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it San Antonio 121, New Orleans 118, New Orleans keeping it close.
12/11 vs POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 132, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 26 free throws a game; Murphy III at 27 and Bey at 20 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Williamson (5 straight), Poole (18 straight), Jordan (21 straight). 2 days' rest. Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 119, shooting 43 percent and 35 from three, 32 free throws a game; Avdija at 27 and Grant at 21 a game. Without Holiday (12 straight), Clingan (2 straight), Henderson (24 straight). 3 days' rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the defense, Portland allowing 119 a night to New Orleans's 132 and the glass, where Portland has been plus-1 a night and New Orleans minus-6. Call it New Orleans 121, Portland 120, Portland keeping it close.
11/24 @ SAC 112-117 — MIN notes
MIN lost 112-117 in 1 overtime. MIN shot 41% (40 of 97) to SAC's 43%, 13 of 42 from three, and got to the line 22 times to SAC's 28. Edwards led with 43 (16 of 29, 5 of 11 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); Randle added 17, DiVincenzo 17. Q1 was theirs, 27-23, but the other 4 periods went 94-85 against them. They led by as many as 14. Edwards's -12 in 40 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/26 @ OKC 105-113 — MIN notes
MIN lost 105-113. MIN shot 41% (33 of 80) to OKC's 48%, 17 of 37 from three. MIN turned it over 14 times to OKC's 7, and OKC turned those into 8 steals. Edwards led with 31 (9 of 19, 5 of 10 from three, 8 of 12 at the line); Shannon Jr. added 18, Reid 12. Q3 was theirs, 32-29, the deficit cut from 10 to 7, but the other 3 periods went 84-73 against them. Conley's -17 in 13 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/29 vs BOS 119-115 — MIN notes
MIN won 119-115. MIN shot 49% (41 of 83) to BOS's 47%, 21 of 48 from three. Edwards led with 39 (12 of 24, 5 of 11 from three, 10 of 11 at the line); Randle added 16, DiVincenzo 15. The hinge was Q3, 35-23: MIN came in trailing by 10 and left it ahead by 2. MIN trailed 59-69 at the half and won the second half 60-46. McDaniels was the night's best plus/minus at +24.
11/30 vs SAS 125-112 — MIN notes
MIN won 125-112. MIN shot 56% (49 of 87) to SAS's 52%, 17 of 37 from three, and got to the line 13 times to SAS's 19. Edwards led with 32 (13 of 18, 4 of 6 from three); Randle added 22, DiVincenzo 18. The hinge was Q4, 36-19: MIN came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 13, and the lead reached 16. MIN trailed 61-62 at the half and won the second half 64-50. Randle was the night's best plus/minus at +30.
12/02 @ NOP 149-142 — MIN notes
MIN won 149-142 in 1 overtime. MIN shot 50% (52 of 104) to NOP's 55%, 20 of 51 from three, and got to the line 29 times to NOP's 35. Edwards led with 44 (16 of 30, 6 of 13 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); Gobert added 26, Reid 18. The hinge was Q3, 42-35: the deficit went from 10 to 3. MIN trailed 58-68 at the half and won the second half 91-74. Edwards was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
12/04 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 130, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 27 free throws a game; Williamson at 24 and Murphy III at 22 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Williamson (2 straight), Jones (6 straight), Poole (15 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 120, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 24 free throws a game; Edwards at 38 and Randle at 16 a game. That is 3 straight wins. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 120 a night to New Orleans's 130. Call it Minnesota 122, New Orleans 119, New Orleans keeping it close.
12/06 vs LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 120, shooting 49 percent and 43 from three, 26 free throws a game; Edwards at 31 and Randle at 18 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Hyland (2 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 1-4 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 113, shooting 45 percent and 31 from three, 25 free throws a game; Leonard at 30 and Harden at 22 a game. Without Jones Jr. (10 straight), Miller (2 straight), Lopez (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the arc, Minnesota at 43 percent from three to the Clippers' 31 and the defense, the Clippers allowing 113 a night to Minnesota's 120. Call it Minnesota 120, the Clippers 112.
12/08 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 118, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 25 free throws a game; Edwards at 28 and Randle at 21 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Hyland (3 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 116, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 19 free throws a game; Brooks at 23 and Gillespie at 20 a game. Without Green (13 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the arc, Minnesota at 42 percent from three to Phoenix's 32 and the line, where Minnesota takes 25 free throws a game to Phoenix's 19. Call it Minnesota 119, Phoenix 114.
12/12 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 101, shooting 43 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Butler III at 16 and Podziemski at 14 a game. Without Ste. Curry (5 straight), Green (2 straight), Horford (2 straight). 4 days' rest. Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 117, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 26 free throws a game; Edwards at 28 and Randle at 22 a game. 3 days' rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the defense, Golden State allowing 101 a night to Minnesota's 117 and the line, where Minnesota takes 26 free throws a game to Golden State's 18. Call it Golden State 114, Minnesota 111, Minnesota keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
MINAE A. Edwards
DD D. DiVincenzo
JC J. Clark
JM J. McDaniels
JR J. Randle
MC M. Conley
NR N. Reid
RD R. Dillingham
RG R. Gobert
TS T. Shannon Jr.
NOPBM B. McGowens
DQ D. Queen
JA J. Alvarado
JF J. Fears
JH J. Hawkins
KL K. Looney
MP M. Peavy
SB S. Bey
TA T. Alexander
TM T. Murphy III
MIN/NOP the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Anthony Edwards' late layup forces OT, as Timberwolves edge Pelicans 149-142
NEW ORLEANS -- — Anthony Edwards scored 34 of his season-high 44 points in the second half, including a driving layup to force overtime, and Julius Randle scored eight points in the extra period to lift the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 149-142 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night.
Edwards, who came in averaging 37.2 points in his last five games, struggled from long range early, missing 4 of 5 3-point attempts in the first half. But he caught fire in the second half, going 5 of 8 from deep.
Edwards sent the game into overtime by driving past Jose Alvarado for a layup with 2.3 seconds left. New Orleans led 129-125 with 1:03 remaining in regulation on Derik Queen’s dunk but went scoreless the rest of the way.
Trey Murphy III led six Pelicans in double figures with 33 points. Saddiq Bey had 22, and Queen and fellow rookie Jeremiah Fears added 21.
Rudy Gobert finished with 26 points for Minnesota, including three dunks in overtime, and 13 rebounds. Jaden McDaniels had 17 points and Randle 16 for the Timberwolves, who won their third straight.
The Pelicans, with the worst record in the league (3-19), have lost 13 of their last 14 games.
The Pelicans used a 15-0 run during a three-minute stretch late in the second quarter to turn a 55-53 deficit into a 68-55 lead. Bey sparked the run with seven points and Murphy added five. Murphy had 11 of his 15 first-half points in the second quarter, when the Pelicans outscored Minnesota 43-27.
New Orleans played for the 12th time in 23 games without Zion Williamson , who was scratched with a right adductor strain. Williamson, the Pels’ leading scorer, averaged 22.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in his 10 games this season.
Up next The Pelicans host the Timberwolves again on Thursday night.