MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota first-year head coach Tom Thibodeau spent part of his pregame media session Friday praising New Orleans’ roster depth. That depth will be put to the test in a big way at Target Center, because six Pelicans on the team’s 15-man roster will be unavailable for the Western Conference matchup.
Pelicans counterpart Alvin Gentry confirmed that recent starter Terrence Jones (thumb), along with reserves Tyreke Evans (ankle), E’Twaun Moore (personal) and Alexis Ajinca (personal), will not be in uniform against the Timberwolves. That leaves New Orleans (20-33, tied with Minnesota) with just nine players tonight, because Quincy Pondexter (knee) is out and Cheick Diallo is on a D-League assignment.
“I like the makeup of their team,” Thibodeau said of the Pelicans. “They’ve had injuries along the way, but right now, when you look at their team, (Donatas) Motiejunas was a good pickup for them. Guys like E’Twaun Moore and Tim Frazier, those guys are good players. You have to be ready for everyone. Getting Tyreke (Evans) back was a big plus, although I know he’s out tonight. He’s another guy you tend to forget how talented he is. He is a load to deal with.”
Gentry: “We are missing some key pieces. E’Twaun is not here for personal reasons, and so is Alexis. Terrence is having thumb troubles so he won’t play. Tyreke is struggling and it would have to be an unbelievable miracle for us to play him tonight. We are missing some people, but that’s the NBA. We have to have guys step up and fill in for them.”
Other notes from pregame in the Gopher State:
Gentry on the Timberwolves: “They are very good in second-chance points. They are a very athletic team. I tell everyone that Karl-Anthony Towns is the new big guy in this league. Great ability to post up, great footwork and capable of stepping out on the floor and shooting in the high 30s from the three-point line. So that will be a challenge for us.”