Timberwolves Beat Pelicans 115-109 as Dosunmu Scores 26

The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the New Orleans Pelicans 115-109 on Friday night, November 6, 2026, in NBA Cup group play at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Ayo Dosunmu scored 26 points to lead Minnesota, and the Timberwolves won their third straight game without Anthony Edwards in the lineup.

Minnesota improved to 7-3 with the win, while New Orleans fell to 4-5. The game drew 17,767 fans. Minnesota closed a week that also brought wins over Milwaukee on November 2 and Houston on November 4.

Dosunmu leads the way

Dosunmu played 39 minutes and 21 seconds and shot 8 of 14 from the field. He made 4 of 6 shots from three point range and went 6 of 6 at the free throw line. His 26 points were the high mark for Minnesota.

Trey Lyles gave Minnesota a team high 13 rebounds. LaMelo Ball led the Timberwolves with 8 assists. Minnesota spread the work across its lineup on a night when Edwards sat out.

A tight first half

Minnesota led 57-51 at halftime, but the first half also belonged in part to New Orleans forward Karlo Matkovic. Matkovic was the game high scorer at the break with 16 points for the Pelicans. Dosunmu had 12 points at halftime, and Jaden McDaniels had 11.

McDaniels also produced the loudest play of the half. In the second quarter he threw down a poster dunk over Derik Queen. Minnesota took a six point lead into the break and held New Orleans off the rest of the way to close out the win.

Injuries shape the night

Edwards missed the game after a procedure on his right knee at the Mayo Clinic on October 29. Minnesota has won three straight games in his absence, a run that started against Milwaukee on November 2 and continued against Houston on November 4.

Minnesota lost a player during the game as well. Forward Joan Beringer was diagnosed with a fractured nose after he took an elbow from Trendon Watford in the second quarter. Beringer did not return.

Key numbers

• Final score: Minnesota 115, New Orleans 109
• Ayo Dosunmu: 26 points, 8 of 14 from the field, 4 of 6 from three point range, 6 of 6 at the line
• Trey Lyles: 13 rebounds, a team high for Minnesota
• LaMelo Ball: 8 assists, a team high for Minnesota
• Halftime: Minnesota 57, New Orleans 51
• Attendance: 17,767 at Smoothie King Center
• Records: Minnesota 7-3, New Orleans 4-5

What the win means

New Orleans came in at 4-4 after a 120-113 win over Utah on November 4. The Pelicans had home court and the halftime scoring leader, but Minnesota had the stronger night. Dosunmu set the pace with 26 points, and the Timberwolves left New Orleans at 7-3 with three straight wins. New Orleans dropped to 4-5.

The result also counts in NBA Cup group play, where each group win shapes the path to the knockout rounds.