Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans Match Player Stats: Full Game Breakdown

It came down to the final minutes of a high-scoring, foul-heavy game between two teams in very different situations heading into the postseason. Minnesota — already qualified for the playoffs as the sixth seed — beat the New Orleans Pelicans 132–126 in their final regular season meeting on April 12, 2026. Joan Beringer’s double-double off the bench (24 pts, 13 reb, 7 blocks) was Minnesota’s standout, while Jeremiah Fears delivered a heroic 36-point, 10-rebound effort for New Orleans in a losing cause. The Pelicans had 20 offensive rebounds and 31 second-chance points — but Minnesota’s 13 blocks and superior free-throw volume proved the difference.

Match Summary

Final Score

Team Stats Comparison

Minnesota Timberwolves Player Stats

Joan Beringer — C (Bench)

Beringer was Minnesota’s best player — 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting, 13 rebounds, and 7 blocks off the bench. His double-double was built almost entirely in the paint: 18 of his 24 points came inside, and all 13 rebounds reflected his dominance of the glass. Seven blocks from a single player in one game is an extraordinary total — he disrupted New Orleans’ interior attack consistently and provided Minnesota with a defensive anchor every time he was on the floor.

Terrence Shannon Jr. — F

Shannon Jr. led all Minnesota starters with 26 points — 6-of-18 from the field but drawing 10 fouls and converting 14 of 18 free throws. His ability to generate fouls and get to the line was Minnesota’s most important offensive tool in the second half, particularly when New Orleans was making a run in the third quarter. He also contributed 5 assists and 4 rebounds.

Zyon Pullin — G (Bench)

Pullin was Minnesota’s second-best bench performer — 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting (66.7%) with 5 assists. His 73.8% true shooting and 70.8% effective field goal percentage reflected an efficient, assertive offensive night. He scored 14 of his 19 points in the paint — attacking the Pelicans’ defense off the bounce rather than settling for perimeter looks.

Joe Ingles — F (Bench)

Ingles delivered a double-double off the bench — 15 points and 10 assists — shooting 6-of-10 with 3 threes. His 10 assists against just 3 turnovers were the best individual facilitating numbers of either team in the game. Ingles was the connective tissue of Minnesota’s second unit, keeping the offense moving and finding shooters in rhythm throughout his minutes.

Julian Phillips — F (Bench)

Phillips contributed 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the bench, adding a steal and going 3-of-6 from the free throw line. He scored 10 of his 16 points in the paint — a physical interior presence that complemented Beringer’s dominance.

Enrique Freeman — F (Bench)

Freeman contributed 13 points on 4-of-8 shooting including 2 threes, adding 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. His +25 plus-minus was the second-best on the team — reflecting consistent two-way impact across his minutes.

Rocco Zikarsky — C (Bench)

Zikarsky contributed 8 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 assists — converting 4-of-4 from the free throw line. His defensive rebounding (9) helped offset New Orleans’ offensive board advantage.

New Orleans Pelicans Player Stats

Jeremiah Fears — G

Fears was the performance of the game — 36 points on 12-of-28 shooting with 10 rebounds and 5 assists, a double-double that reflected how hard he worked to keep New Orleans in the contest. He drew 8 fouls, converted 12 of 14 free throws, and scored 24 of his 36 points in the paint. Without his effort, the margin would have been far larger.

Derik Queen — C

Queen posted a massive double-double — 30 points and 22 rebounds — but shot just 39.3% from the field on 28 attempts. His 22 rebounds (7 offensive, 15 defensive) were the most of any player in the game and drove New Orleans’ 20 offensive rebound total and 31 second-chance points. Five turnovers and 5 personal fouls hurt him, and Minnesota’s defense forced him into difficult shots throughout.

Micah Peavy — F

Peavy contributed 21 points on efficient 6-of-12 shooting — including 2 threes and 7-of-8 from the line — adding 4 rebounds and 3 assists. His 67.7% true shooting was the second-highest among New Orleans starters. He fouled out late in the game — one of two Pelicans to foul out — limiting his ability to contribute in the fourth quarter.

Trey Alexander — G

Alexander went 7-of-11 from the field for 16 points — the most efficient shooting line among New Orleans starters — with 3 steals. His 64.9% true shooting was solid, and his defensive activity (3 steals, 1 block) gave New Orleans something to build around on that end.

Jordan Hawkins — G

Hawkins shot just 4-of-18 (22.2%) in a rough offensive night — his 32.9% true shooting was the lowest among New Orleans starters. He still drew 3 fouls and contributed 3 assists, but his poor shooting efficiency hurt New Orleans’ attempt to close the gap.

Key Takeaways

• Minnesota Timberwolves beat the New Orleans Pelicans 132–126 on April 12, 2026 — Minnesota’s biggest lead was 16 points and New Orleans never led at any point in the game.
• Joan Beringer was the standout performer — 24 points, 13 rebounds (double-double), and 7 blocks off the bench — posting one of the most dominant interior performances of Minnesota’s regular season, with 75% field goal shooting and 18 of his 24 points coming in the paint.
• Jeremiah Fears led all scorers with 36 points for New Orleans — 24 in the paint, 12-of-14 from the free throw line, a double-double with 10 rebounds — but it wasn’t enough to overcome Minnesota’s bench depth advantage.
• Derik Queen’s 22-rebound, 30-point double-double for New Orleans was an extraordinary rebounding effort — but his 39.3% field goal percentage and 5 turnovers undermined his impact when Minnesota’s defense forced him into difficult shots.
• Minnesota’s bench outscored New Orleans’ 56–22 — the largest bench scoring gap of the game and the clearest explanation for the final margin, with Joe Ingles, Joan Beringer, Zyon Pullin, Julian Phillips, and Enrique Freeman all contributing double-digit points.
• Joe Ingles distributed 10 assists against just 3 turnovers off the bench — the best facilitating performance of the game for either team — shooting 6-of-10 with 3 threes in a double-double night of 15 points and 6 rebounds.
• Minnesota recorded 13 blocks as a team — more than double New Orleans’ 6 — disrupting the Pelicans’ interior attack consistently and limiting their rim conversion rate to 53.8% (compared to Minnesota’s 76.7%).
• New Orleans generated 20 offensive rebounds and 31 second-chance points — both the highest totals of either team — reflecting their relentless pursuit of the glass, but Minnesota’s shooting efficiency (50.6% FG vs 42.1%) proved the decisive edge.
• Terrence Shannon Jr. drew 10 fouls and made 14 of 18 free throws for Minnesota — his ability to generate trips to the line was crucial in periods when Minnesota’s field goal shooting cooled in the third quarter.
• Both Micah Peavy and one other Pelican fouled out — two foulouts from New Orleans versus none from Minnesota — giving the Timberwolves a significant late-game personnel advantage that helped them hold off New Orleans’ fourth-quarter rally.