Timberwolves Beat Pelicans 115-109 Behind Ayo Dosunmu's 26 Points, Stay Unbeaten in NBA Cup

The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the New Orleans Pelicans 115-109 on Friday night, Nov. 6, 2026, at Smoothie King Center, according to the Associated Press and Field Level Media. Ayo Dosunmu led Minnesota with 26 points, and the Wolves outscored New Orleans 38-30 in the fourth quarter to pull it out.

Minnesota improved to 7-3 and 2-0 in NBA Cup play, winning its third straight game. New Orleans fell to 4-5 and 0-1 in the Cup, and its four-game winning streak ended.

One note on the score: an early Minnesota Star Tribune write-up listed the final as 112-104, but AP, Field Level Media and the league’s box score all have it at 115-109.

How the fourth quarter turned

The game swung several times. Karlo Matkovic hit four 3-pointers in the first quarter as New Orleans took a 30-27 lead, and Minnesota answered with a 30-21 second quarter to lead 57-51 at halftime, Field Level Media reported. Zion Williamson, held to two first-half points, scored eight during a 12-0 Pelicans run in the third, and New Orleans led 79-77 entering the fourth after holding Minnesota to 6-of-23 shooting in the period.

From there, Minnesota took over:

• Dejounte Murray’s 3-pointer put New Orleans up 89-87 with 7:55 left, but LaMelo Ball answered with five straight points to start a 10-2 Wolves run, AP reported.
• Trey Lyles capped a 15-4 run with a dunk for a 102-94 lead with 3:55 to go.
• After Saddiq Bey’s 3 cut it to 104-99, Dosunmu hit a 3-pointer and Jaden McDaniels made two free throws for a 10-point cushion with 1:32 left.
• Jeremiah Fears scored to make it 113-109 with 12 seconds left, and Jonathan Kuminga’s dunk set the final.

Ayo Dosunmu leads a balanced attack

Rudy Gobert added eight points and 11 rebounds, and Lyles grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds, Field Level Media reported. AP noted that Williamson came in averaging 21.5 points per game before his season-low 13.

Wolves winning without Anthony Edwards

The Star Tribune reported that Minnesota keeps winning without star Anthony Edwards, who is recovering from right knee surgery, and that the win followed a 117-107 victory over Houston on Wednesday. The Wolves also played without Terrence Shannon Jr., who missed a third straight game with a hip contusion.

There is a new injury concern, too. Backup center Joan Beringer left in the second quarter and missed the second half with a broken nose after taking an elbow from Trendon Watford, according to the Star Tribune and Field Level Media. No timeline for his return had been reported as of early Saturday.

What’s next

• Timberwolves: host Utah on Sunday night.
• Pelicans: at the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night.

For where to watch, check the teams’ official schedules and local listings for the latest TV and streaming details.

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