NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – The Pelicans’ struggles continued Tuesday (Dec. 2), as they failed to put away a game they probably should have won.
New Orleans led Minnesota by four points with 49.8 seconds left in regulation, but squandered that advantage before getting routed in overtime for a 149-142 loss.
The Timberwolves’ total marked a season-high surrendered by the Pelicans (3-19), notably because New Orleans allowed the visitors to outscore them 20-13 in the five-minute OT period.
“I thought we were the aggressive team, put ourselves in a great position to win a game,” Pelicans interim coach James Borrego said. “Really proud of our efforts.”
Anthony Edwards led the T-Wolves with 44 points in 47 minutes. Edwards made 16 of 30 shots from the field, including 6 of 13 from 3-point range.
Rudy Gobert had 26 points and 13 rebounds for Minnesota, which also got 18 points off the bench from Naz Reid.
Trey Murphy III led the Pelicans with 33 points. Saddiq Bey added 22 and rookies Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears scored 21 apiece.
The Pels led 129-125 with 49.8 seconds left in regulation, which according to ESPN analytics gave them an 89.2 percent chance to win the game.
Instead, Jose Alvarado had a ball stolen, Fears missed a layup on the next possession, and the Timberwolves tied the game on an Edwards drive with 2.3 seconds left.
Queen missed a layup try at the buzzer, and the game went to overtime. Five minutes later, the Pels fell to 2-10 at home.
“We executed it, got a good look there,” Borrego said of Queen’s near-winner. “It almost dropped for us. He’s made big shots. He’s ready for these moments. He’ll learn from them and I’m really excited for his progress throughout the season,” Borrego said.
New Orleans was missing Yves Missi, who was ruled out shortly before tipoff because of pain in his right foot and ankle.
And hours before the game, the Pelicans announced that forward Zion Williamson faces another extended absence. Williamson was diagnosed with a Grade 2 adductor strain in his right hip, an injury expected to sideline him indefinitely.
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