The New Orleans Pelicans face a daunting challenge as they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves, aiming to snap a four-game road losing streak against a surging Wolves squad that’s won five of its last six. New Orleans, mired at the bottom of the Western Conference, continues to struggle with injuries and inconsistency, while Minnesota, fifth in the West, looks to build momentum post-trade deadline with new additions like Ayo Dosunmu.
- Venue: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Tip-Off Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- TV/Streaming: Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network (GCSEN, Pelicans broadcast), FanDuel Sports Network North (FDSN, Timberwolves broadcast), NBA League Pass
Target Center has been a strong home venue for Minnesota this season, with the Timberwolves holding a 16-9 record there.
Injury Report
| Team | Player | Status | Injury/Reason | Expected Return |
| Pelicans | Dejounte Murray | Out | Right Achilles Rupture | Season (potentially longer) |
| Pelicans | Jose Alvarado | Out | Not With Team (recent trade) | February 9 |
| Pelicans | Dalen Terry | Out | Not With Team | February 9 |
| Pelicans | Trey Alexander | Out | G League – Two-Way | N/A |
| Pelicans | Hunter Dickinson | Out | G League – Two-Way | N/A |
| Timberwolves | Terrence Shannon Jr. | Out | Left Foot/Abductor Hallucis Strain | TBD |
| Timberwolves | Rob Dillingham | Out | Not With Team | TBD |
| Timberwolves | Leonard Miller | Out | Not With Team | TBD |
| Timberwolves | Julian Phillips | Out | Trade Pending/Wrist | February 8 |
| Timberwolves | Ayo Dosunmu | Out | Trade Pending/Quadriceps | February 8 |
| Timberwolves | Enrique Freeman | Out | G League – Two-Way | N/A |
| Timberwolves | Rocco Zikarsky | Out | G League – Two-Way | N/A |
| Timberwolves | Julius Randle | Questionable | Left Thumb Soreness | TBD |
New Orleans misses Murray’s 20.5 PPG and 6.5 APG, leaning on Trey Murphy III (22.1 PPG) and Jeremiah Fears off the bench. Minnesota could be without Randle (17.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG), but Anthony Edwards (29.7 PPG) leads a deep lineup. Recent acquisitions like Dosunmu and Phillips are pending, potentially impacting rotations.
Player Matchups to Watch
- Anthony Edwards (MIN) vs. Trey Murphy III (NOP): Edwards (29.7 PPG, 5.5 APG) is Minnesota’s offensive engine, averaging 30+ in recent wins. Murphy (22.1 PPG, 8.5 3PA) must contain him while providing spacing for New Orleans.
- Julius Randle (MIN, if available) vs. Saddiq Bey (NOP): Randle’s all-around game (17.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG) vs. Bey’s scoring (potential 20+ PPG). If Randle sits, Naz Reid (17.0 PPG) steps up against New Orleans’ thin frontcourt.
- Jaden McDaniels (MIN) vs. Jeremiah Fears (NOP): McDaniels’ defense (15.5 PPG) could limit Fears (bench spark, 13.8 Points + Rebounds in key minutes). Fears thrives in losses, but Minnesota allows few points to guards.
- Donte DiVincenzo (MIN) vs. Jordan Hawkins (NOP): DiVincenzo’s shooting (15.0 PPG) vs. Hawkins’ perimeter defense. This could decide secondary scoring.
Minnesota’s depth, including Bones Hyland (20.0 PPG recently) and Rudy Gobert (10.0 PPG, 12.0 RPG), gives them an edge over New Orleans’ shorthanded roster.
Team Recent Forms
- New Orleans Pelicans: 3-21 on the road. They’ve lost three straight and are 3-7 in their last 10, with poor defense (allowing 120+ PPG recently). New Orleans ranks bottom-five in net rating (-12.5).
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Feb 4 | @ MIL | L | 137-141 OT |
| Feb 2 | @ CHA | L | (Close loss) |
| Feb 1 | @ PHI | L | (Competitive) |
| Jan 31 | vs. BOS | L | (Prior skid) |
| Jan 28 | vs. IND | W | 119-113 |
- Minnesota Timberwolves: 16-9 at home. They’ve won five of six and are 7-3 in their last 10, with strong offense (119.6 PPG) and defense (holding opponents under 115 PPG in wins).
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Feb 4 | @ TOR | W | 128-126 |
| Feb 2 | @ MEM | L | 128-137 |
| Feb 1 | vs. SAC | W | (Recent surge) |
| Jan 30 | @ DEN | W | (Streak) |
| Jan 28 | vs. LAC | W | (Hot form) |
Minnesota’s rally from 18 down vs. Toronto highlights resilience, while New Orleans’ OT loss to Milwaukee shows fight but no finish.
Series History
The all-time series is tied 40-40 over 80 games. Minnesota leads 2-0 this season, winning 149-142 OT and 125-116 in December at New Orleans. The Timberwolves have won three straight overall, with recent games averaging 266 points (high-scoring affairs). Minnesota holds a 2-1 playoff edge historically.
Betting Trends
- Key Trends:
- Pelicans: 28-25 ATS overall; 5-21 SU on road; Over in 21 of 49 games (42.9%).
- Timberwolves: 29-23 ATS; 14-5 vs. East; Under in 23 of last 35 (+9.8 units ROI).
- Series: Over in last two meetings (avg. 266 points); Timberwolves 3-0 SU/ATS in last three.
Game Odds
New Orleans Pelicans 236.5
Minnesota Timberwolves – 8.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, February 5, 2026
