The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 135-105, at Smoothie King Center on Thursday night.

The Timberwolves (8-29) endured a slow start but found a way to turn things around and defeated the Pelicans (15-22) by a 30-point margin -- the win was far more comfortable than what anyone could have expected. New Orleans jumped out to a 34-27 lead in the first quarter and looked dominant early on, but the Timberwolves responded with a 40-26 second quarter that set the tone of the game for the rest of the way. Minnesota also won the third quarter by a 38-22 score and ran away with the game, so New Orleans didn't hace chances to mount a comeback. The Timberwolves won the final 12 minutes by a sizable 30-23 margin, so Minnesota won the game easily. Minnesota shot 53.7 percent from the field and 47.5 percent from deep, while the Pelicans shot 43 percent from the field and a meager 18.8 percent from deep.

Anthony Edwards carried the Timberwolves offensively with 27 points and four boards while shooting 10-for-22 from the field, while Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in with 16 points and seven rebounds. Jake Leyman had 12 points in a spot start for him, while Jaden McDaniels added 20 points off the bench. Surprisingly, Jaylen Nowell led Minnesota in scoring with 28 points off the bench while shooting 11-for-13 from the field.

Six Pelicans players scored in double digits but Zion Williamson led the way with 25 points and five boards. Brandon Ingram and Steven Adams each had matching 13-point tallies, but Adams also had 12 rebounds the rest of the way. Jaxson Hayes and Kira Lewis Jr. each had 11 points, but Lewis still delivered vLue. Lonzo Ball had 10 points and seven assists, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 10 points and four boards off the bench.