Pelicans Rally to Defeat Timberwolves 119-115

Saddiq Bay's late-game heroics help New Orleans overcome an 18-point second-half deficit

Feb. 7, 2026 at 3:15am

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The New Orleans Pelicans overcame an 18-point second-half deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 119-115 on Friday night. Saddiq Bay led the Pelicans with 30 points, including crucial free throws down the stretch, while Zion Williamson dominated in the post with 29 points on 11-of-13 shooting. Rookie Derik Queen also had a breakout performance for New Orleans, scoring 17 points and shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from three-point range.

Why it matters

This game highlights the increasing volatility in the NBA, where teams are no longer content to rely on established strategies. The ability to make in-game adjustments and counter opponents' moves has become a key differentiator, as evidenced by the Pelicans' comeback. It also underscores the continued value of traditional post-up scoring, despite the league's embrace of the three-point shot, as well as the impact that rookie players can have in specialized roles.

The details

The Timberwolves built an 18-point lead in the second half, but the Pelicans rallied back, capitalizing on Minnesota's struggles in the fourth quarter. Saddiq Bay's clutch free throws in the closing minutes sealed the victory for New Orleans. Zion Williamson's dominance in the post, scoring 29 points on 11-of-13 shooting, proved too much for the Timberwolves to handle. Rookie Derik Queen's breakout performance, including a perfect 4-for-4 shooting from three-point range, also played a key role in the Pelicans' comeback.

  • The game was played on Friday, February 7, 2026.

The players

Saddiq Bay

A key player for the New Orleans Pelicans, scoring 30 points and making crucial free throws in the closing minutes to secure the victory.

Zion Williamson

The dominant big man for the Pelicans, scoring 29 points on an efficient 11-of-13 shooting performance in the post.

Derik Queen

A rookie for the Pelicans, he had a breakout performance, scoring 17 points and shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from three-point range.

Anthony Edwards

The leading scorer for the Minnesota Timberwolves, with 35 points in the losing effort.

Rudy Gobert

The veteran center for the Timberwolves, who grabbed 16 rebounds despite the loss.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to dig deep and make some adjustments to get back in this game. The guys really stepped up and showed their resilience.”

— Willie Green, Head Coach, New Orleans Pelicans (Pelicans Post-Game Press Conference)

“It's tough to lose a game like that, but we have to learn from it and come back stronger. We can't let these kinds of leads slip away.”

— Chris Finch, Head Coach, Minnesota Timberwolves (Timberwolves Post-Game Press Conference)

What’s next

The Pelicans will look to build on this comeback victory as they host the Sacramento Kings on Monday, while the Timberwolves will try to rebound when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

The takeaway

This game showcases the increasing importance of in-game adjustments, roster depth, and the continued value of traditional post-up scoring in the modern NBA. Teams that can adapt and capitalize on their opponents' weaknesses, while also developing versatile players, will be well-positioned for success in the league's evolving landscape.