NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (4-3) AT MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (4-2)
Overview
Two teams that finished with the exact same record last season (42-40) have begun 2023-24 in nearly identical fashion, with Minnesota entering Wednesday’s meeting a half-game ahead of New Orleans in the standings. Incidentally, in spring 2022, the Timberwolves and Pelicans were also neighbors in the Western Conference pecking order, with both reaching the playoffs via the play-in tournament (Wolves as the No. 7 seed, Pels at No. 8). The clubs have developed a bit of a simmering rivalry – last season included a few contentious matchups, as well as a chaotic Game 82 that Minnesota won, pushing New Orleans down to the No. 9 spot in the play-in bracket. These squads are about to get very familiar, with four upcoming meetings in less than a two-month span.
Players to Watch
PELICANS
Jordan Hawkins
The UConn product and NCAA champion authored perhaps the most eye-opening, non-Wemby rookie performance of the season thus far, going 7/14 from three-point range and racking up 31 points in Denver two days ago. The opportunity to contribute in a big way wasn’t necessarily guaranteed when Hawkins was picked No. 14 overall in the draft, but injuries have made his production imperative for New Orleans.
Brandon Ingram
New Orleans’ third-leading scorer (20.8 ppg) this season will be its No. 1 offensive threat Wednesday, because Zion Williamson (21.8) and CJ McCollum (21.7) are out of action. Ingram registered 22 points Monday and is shooting 50 percent from the field in two appearances since returning from a three-game injury absence.
Larry Nance Jr.
Nance already figured to have a prominent role Wednesday in New Orleans trying to match up with Minnesota’s super-sized and deep frontcourt – and that was before Williamson was ruled out for personal reasons. The Pelicans’ other experienced reserve big is Cody Zeller.
TIMBERWOLVES
Anthony Edwards
The USA Basketball standout has elevated his game to another level early in 2023-24, ranking No. 11 in the NBA in scoring average (28.2), doing so on extremely high efficiency (shooting splits of 52/47/83). The Georgia product piled up 38 points in Monday’s overtime win over previously-unbeaten Boston.
Jaden McDaniels
The elite defender got a late start to the season, sitting out the first two games due to a calf injury, but has helped Minnesota rocket to No. 1 in the NBA in defensive efficiency (100.7 rating), backed by reliable rim protector Rudy Gobert.
Naz Reid
The LSU product is a fan favorite in the Twin Cities and is off to a superb start, averaging 15.7 points (Minnesota’s third-leading scorer), despite only logging 23.8 minutes per outing. He has come off the bench in all six games, tallying a season-best 25 points vs. Miami on Oct. 28.
Previous Game Starting Lineups
NEW ORLEANS (4-3)
Monday loss at Denver
Jordan Hawkins, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas
Notes: Williamson (personal reasons) is out, meaning New Orleans is guaranteed to use its fifth different starting lineup of the season Wednesday. The Pelicans have not played a game without both Williamson and McCollum (lung) prior to tonight. Joining Williamson and McCollum as out are Jose Alvarado (ankle), Naji Marshall (knee) and Trey Murphy (knee). Jones (leg) is questionable.
MINNESOTA (4-2)
Monday win vs. Boston
Mike Conley Jr., Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert
Notes: The most prominent Timberwolf listed as out on the team’s injury report is backup point guard Jordan McLaughlin (knee). … Minnesota has won three games in a row, an impressive streak highlighted by victories over Denver and Boston, the teams atop the standings in the respective conferences.
FanDuel Keys to the Game
‘HAWK’ AND THE WOLVES
How will Hawkins follow up one of the top nights by any NBA rookie early in the 2023-24 regular season? In just his seventh pro game, the 21-year-old lit up Denver’s Ball Arena with 31 points and seven made three-pointers. The challenge Wednesday will come against Minnesota's quality wing defenders.
THIRD-QUARTER TURNAROUND
New Orleans has not responded well coming out of the locker room after halftime lately, outscored by 12-plus points in each of the last three third quarters (Detroit, Atlanta, at Denver). The Pelicans are 30th in third-period net rating (minus-36.0 per 100 possessions, via NBA.com).
MATCHUP TO WATCH
The NBA is shifting away from power forward/center combinations that do most of their work in the paint, but New Orleans and Minnesota are going against the grain. Williamson and Towns were set to square off at the “four” spot Wednesday but Williamson is now out, meaning possibly a larger role for Nance. Valanciunas and Gobert will lock horns in the pivot.