Game ID: 22500337
Minnesota Timberwolves @ New Orleans Pelicans
Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
NOP 30 32 28 26 116MIN 35 27 26 37 125
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 11/26 · 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
NOP availability going into 12/14 · 2 days' restOUT Williamson missed 6 since 11/30, returns tonight: 27 min (90% of 30)
OUT Jordan missed 22 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 4 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 3 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Murphy III back 12/02 after 2, 36 min since (101% of 36)
BACK Jones back 12/08 after 8, 20 min since (71% of 28)
BACK Poole back 12/11 after 18, 26 min since (108% of 24)
BACK Missi back 12/06 after 2, 13 min since (65% of 20)
BACK Matković back 12/04 after 8, 9 min since (64% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/02 after 2, 12 min since (85% of 14)
NEW Queen 25 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW McGowens 21 to 28 min over the last 5
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)
MIN availability going into 12/14 · 1 day's restBACK Hyland back 12/08 after 3, 10 min since (64% 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 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.
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 116-125 — NOP notes
NOP lost 116-125. NOP shot 45% (43 of 95) to MIN's 46%, 7 of 25 from three. NOP turned it over 12 times to MIN's 19. Murphy III led with 21 (7 of 17, 0 of 5 from three, 7 of 8 at the line); Fears added 20, Bey 20. Q2 was theirs, 32-27, the deficit cut from 5 to 0, but the other 3 periods went 98-84 against them. Alvarado's -16 in 22 minutes was the worst on the floor.
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.
12/14 @ CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Chicago comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 121, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; Giddey at 21 and White at 18 a game. Without Huerter (4 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 130, shooting 51 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Murphy III at 27 and Bey at 18 a game. Without Williamson (6 straight), Jordan (22 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Chicago giving it away 16 times a game to New Orleans's 11 and the defense, Chicago allowing 121 a night to New Orleans's 130. Call it Chicago 121, New Orleans 120, New Orleans keeping it close.
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 125-116 — MIN notes
MIN won 125-116. MIN shot 46% (42 of 92) to NOP's 45%, 15 of 38 from three. MIN turned it over 19 times to NOP's 12, and NOP turned those into 11 steals. Randle led with 28 (9 of 18, 2 of 3 from three, 8 of 8 at the line); Reid added 19, DiVincenzo 15. The hinge was Q4, 37-26: MIN came in trailing by 2 and left it ahead by 9. Edwards was the night's best plus/minus at +10.
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.
12/14 vs SAC — 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 123 a night and allowing 118, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 29 free throws a game; Edwards at 28 and Randle at 23 a game. One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 120, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 20 free throws a game; LaVine at 20 and DeRozan at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Sabonis (11 straight), Plowden (13 straight), Schröder (7 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Minnesota has been plus-2 a night and Sacramento minus-8 and the line, where Minnesota takes 29 free throws a game to Sacramento's 20. Call it Minnesota 122, Sacramento 111, Minnesota by 11.
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
KM K. Matković
MP M. Peavy
MA Matkovic
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
Randle scores 28 as the Timberwolves beat the Pelicans again on a quiet night for Edwards
NEW ORLEANS -- — Julius Randle had 28 points and nine rebounds, carrying Minnesota on a quiet night from Anthony Edwards , and the Timberwolves beat the New Orleans Pelicans 125-116 on Thursday night.
Edwards finished with just 11 points in 31 minutes. He scored a season-high 44 points on Tuesday in Minnesota's 146-142 overtime victory in the opener of the two-game set.
Naz Reid added 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Timberwolves, who won their fourth straight. Rudy Gobert had 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Donte DiVincenzo also had 15 points.
Trey Murphy III had 21 points, eight assists and seven rebounds for the Pelicans, who have lost five straight and fell to 3-20. Jeremiah Fears and Saddiq Bey each added 20 points.
The Pelicans scored the first point of the fourth quarter for a 91-88 lead. The Wolves then scored 15 straight for a 103-91 lead and held on from there.
Reid, who played at LSU, had two 3-pointers and an alley-oop dunk during the run.
Up next Timberwolves: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.