The Minnesota Timberwolves (13-8) are back at Smoothie King Center on Thursday for a quick rematch with the New Orleans Pelicans after a 149-142 overtime escape on Tuesday. Anthony Edwards dropped 44 points, Rudy Gobert added 26 points and 13 rebounds, and Naz Reid supplied 18 points, five boards, and six assists off the bench, but Minnesota’s defense allowed 142 to a 3-19 team that sits at the bottom of the Western Conference. The Wolves arrive on a four-game win streak, yet this second meeting is as much about tightening standards as it is about stacking wins.​

Timberwolves Injury Report

Pelicans Injury Report

Questionable: Karlo Matković
Out: Zion Williamson (Right Adductor Strain)
Out: Yves Missi (Right Foot Ankle Soreness)
Out: Herbert Jones (Right Calf Strain)
Out: Dejounte Murray (Right Achilles Rupture)
Out: Jordan Poole (Left Quad Strain)

Can Minnesota Turn Control Into A Statement?

Minnesota has climbed to 13-8, sixth in the West, with an offensive rating around 119.3 that ranks seventh in the league and a defensive rating near 114.3 that sits 12th. The profile fits a team with playoff expectations, yet Tuesday’s effort did not, as the Wolves trailed much of the night and surrendered 103 points through three quarters before finally asserting themselves in overtime. Edwards again profiles as the central pressure point after his 44-point outburst and recent scoring surge toward 30 points per game.​

Gobert’s efficiency near the rim and control of the glass will be critical, especially if Minnesota wants to reduce the number of clean perimeter looks that New Orleans generated in the first meeting. Rocco Zikarsky remains out on a two-way G League assignment, but otherwise the Wolves have stability in their rotation and should be able to shape the game with size, rim protection, and half-court discipline. The main question is whether they bring playoff-level focus from the opening tip instead of waiting until late possessions to lock in.​

KEEP READING: NBA Power Rankings

Can A Short-Handed Pelicans Group Hang Again?

The Pelicans enter at 3-19, last in the West, riding a four-game losing streak and sitting near the bottom of the league in both offensive rating and defensive rating. Injuries continue to define their season: Zion Williamson is out with a right adductor strain, Herb Jones, Yves Missi, and Dejounte Murray are sidelined by leg issues, and Jordan Poole is out with a quad strain, while Karlo Matković is listed as questionable with a calf problem.

same opponent, same place, same time.

Wolves at Pelicans
7pm CT, Smoothie King Center
📺 » @FanDuelSN_NOR
📻 » @iHeartRadio App
📲 » https://t.co/gPhx0nxveq

Preview » https://t.co/e3Jpwfu4zX pic.twitter.com/UIrWh61Xz6

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) December 4, 2025

That leaves New Orleans leaning heavily on rookies Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears, plus rotation pieces such as Jordan Hawkins, Trey Murphy III, Jose Alvarado, Saddiq Bey, and Kevon Looney.​

Even in that context, the Pelicans pushed Minnesota to the limit on Tuesday by shooting well from deep and attacking a lax perimeter defense. For the rematch, their path is similar: stretch the floor, test Minnesota’s closeout, and hope the Wolves again drift into jump shots instead of repeatedly pressuring the rim. If the Wolves defend with sharper urgency, play through Edwards and Gobert, and keep their offensive structure instead of settling for early threes, they are positioned to turn a narrow escape into a more routine road result.

Pelicans vs Timberwolves Prediction

These two teams played a thriller on Tuesday night, a game that the Wolves won 149-142 in overtime behind a season-high 44 points from Anthony Edwards. It’s the most points the Pellies have given up in a game this season, but it certainly wasn’t the first big game allowed by New Orleans.

Ja Morant got them for 35 in the season opener, while Kawhi Leonard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Grayson Allen, Austin Reaves, Shaedon Sharpe, Moses Moody, Peyton Watson, Luka Doncic, and Kristaps Porzingis have all hung 30+ points on them in a game since.

Yeah, that’s an eclectic list. If you’re aggressive, the 3-19 Pelicans are an explosion spot, and we watch this game for the monster performances, don’t we? The Pelicans aren’t short on drama of their own with reports surfacing yesterday about their willingness to deal Zion Williamson, but this game is about Edwards.

Can the 24-year-old bolster what he hopes evolves into an MVP-type of season (career pace in PER, TS%, and BPM)? He’s as fun a watch when he’s going good as there is in the league, and his last six games are proof positive that he has what it takes to be the face of this league (38.3 PPG on 55.6% shooting from the field).

Trey Murphy was great on Tuesday night (33 points and 15 rebounds), but asking him to keep this game tight is a bit too much. Minnesota should match their longest win streak of the season (four) tonight, and I don’t think it requires much sweat.

Pelicans vs Timberwolves Prediction: Timberwolves win 121-106

How to Watch Timberwolves vs. Pelicans: Channel, TV Station, and More

Who: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans
When: Thursday, Dec. 4, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans
Watch: FanDuel Sports Network
Listen: iHeartRadio, Timberwolves app​