By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 22:45 EDT, 21 March 2025 | Updated: 22:46 EDT, 21 March 2025
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Julius Randle had 20 points, six rebounds and five assists and the Minnesota Timberwolves avoided losing to one of the Western Conference's worst teams for the second time in three days with a 134-93 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.
Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards each scored 17 points, and Rudy Gobert had 13 points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota, which moved back within a game of Golden State for the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference with 10 games left in the regular season.
The Timberwolves' 41-point margin of victory was their largest this season.
Edwards also finished with five assists and three rebounds after a brief injury scare in the third quarter. The three-time All-Star went to the locker room holding his right thigh, but returned later in the period.
With his wife and three children in attendance, Minnesota's Joe Ingles made his first start since Jan. 30, 2022, and went scoreless with an assist in just over six minutes. Ingles' son Jacob, who has autism, recently reached the milestone of viewing an entire game in person. Finch gave Ingles the start so Jacob could watch his father play.
C.J. McCollum led the Pelicans with 15 points, and Bruce Brown scored 14.
CORRECTS TO FIRST HALF NOT SECOND HALF - Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) gestures after making a 3-point shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Pelicans: Entering Friday with the Western Conference's second-worst record, New Orleans played without star forward Zion Williamson because of a bruised lower back.
Timberwolves: During its ascent to being a Western Conference contender in recent years, Minnesota has sometimes underperformed against teams well below it in the standings. That was the case in a 119-115 loss at home Wednesday, but the Wolves outscored New Orleans 72-45 in the second half Friday night.
McDaniels took a baseline pass from Mike Conley and dunked straight over Pelicans rim protector Yves Missi to give Minnesota an 80-59 advantage midway through the third quarter.
The Pelicans are the NBA's No. 5 team in second-chance points with 15.8 per game, but Minnesota outscored them 20-4 in that category Friday.
The Pelicans head to Detroit on Sunday, and the Timberwolves play Monday at Indiana.
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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9), left, and New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) battle for possession during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum, left, shoots over Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark (22) goes up for a dunk during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Rob Dillingham (4) celebrates with guard Terrence Shannon Jr. , left, after a dunk during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum, left, works toward the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans forward Keion Brooks Jr. (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
CORRECTS TO FIRST HALF NOT SECOND HALF - New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) looks to pass the ball as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) and center Rudy Gobert (27) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado reacts after missing a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)