Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans Match Player Stats
The timberwolves vs new orleans pelicans match player stats from the 2026 regular season finale tell a more interesting story than the 132-126 final score suggests. Minnesota defeated New Orleans at Target Center, but the Pelicans produced several standout individual performances, particularly from Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, relied heavily on efficient team offense, interior defense, and strong contributions from players who received extended opportunities in a game where most of Minnesota’s regular rotation was rested.
The game was played at Target Center in Minneapolis and drew 18,978 fans. Minnesota finished with a 49-33 record, while New Orleans finished 26-56 according to the supplied game data and NBA’s official game recap. The official NBA game page records the matchup as April 12, 2026 in Minneapolis, with some listings displaying the game information into April 13 because of timing and time-zone presentation. (NBA.com)
What makes this matchup especially useful to study is the contrast between individual production and team efficiency. New Orleans had three players reach at least 21 points, while Minnesota had three players score at least 19. Yet Minnesota controlled the game for most of the night because it converted its possessions more efficiently and built a substantial early advantage.
Game Overview: Timberwolves 132, Pelicans 126
Minnesota entered the contest with a clear advantage in overall season performance. The Timberwolves finished 49-33, while the Pelicans ended the campaign at 26-56.
The final score was:
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 24 | 35 | 31 | 36 | 126 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 34 | 39 | 24 | 35 | 132 |
The official NBA record confirms the 132-126 Minnesota victory and the quarter-by-quarter scoring pattern. (NBA.com)
The most important part of the game was the first half.
Minnesota scored 73 points across the opening two quarters while allowing New Orleans to score only 59. That created a 14-point halftime advantage.
New Orleans responded impressively after halftime. The Pelicans won the third quarter 31-24 and then scored 36 points in the fourth. That comeback attempt made the final score much closer than the first-half numbers suggested.
However, Minnesota had already created enough separation to survive the late push.
The official NBA game data also shows that Minnesota’s biggest lead reached 16 points, while there were no ties and no lead changes. (NBA.com)
That is an important detail because it shows that New Orleans was chasing the game rather than repeatedly taking control.
Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans Match Player Stats: Leading Performers
The individual numbers provide the clearest picture of how the game unfolded.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Leaders
Minnesota’s leading performers included:
- Terrence Shannon Jr.: 26 points
- Joan Beringer: 24 points, 13 rebounds, 7 blocks
- Zyon Pullin: 19 points
- Joe Ingles: 10 assists
- Joan Beringer: team-leading 13 rebounds
- Joan Beringer: team-leading 7 blocks
The official NBA game coverage specifically highlighted Beringer’s performance and Shannon’s 26-point outing. (NBA.com)
Beringer’s combination of scoring, rebounding, and rim protection was arguably the most influential all-around statistical performance for Minnesota.
Shannon Jr. provided the scoring punch, while Pullin added another useful offensive contribution. Ingles was particularly important as a facilitator, producing 10 assists and helping organize an offense that finished with 32 total assists.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Leaders
New Orleans was led by:
- Jeremiah Fears: 36 points
- Derik Queen: 30 points
- Micah Peavy: 21 points
- Derik Queen: 22 rebounds
- Jeremiah Fears: 5 assists
- Jeremiah Fears: 10 rebounds
Fears was the game’s leading scorer with 36 points. NBA’s official player data records his performance as 36 points on 12-of-28 shooting, along with 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block. (NBA.com)
Queen was equally impressive on the glass. His 22 rebounds were the highest individual rebounding total in the matchup.
This is an important distinction. Fears was New Orleans’ primary offensive engine, while Queen provided a combination of scoring and interior dominance.
Jeremiah Fears Was the Offensive Standout
Jeremiah Fears was the clearest individual scoring success story for New Orleans.
He finished with 36 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. His scoring came despite Minnesota holding a much better overall team field-goal percentage.
Fears’ performance was not simply a high-volume scoring night. He also contributed in several other areas.
His final line included:
- 36 points
- 10 rebounds
- 5 assists
- 2 steals
- 1 block
- 12-of-28 shooting
- 12-of-14 free throws
That production demonstrates why the Pelicans were able to remain competitive even while trailing for the majority of the contest.
One of the most revealing parts of his performance was his free-throw shooting. Fears made 12 of 14 attempts from the foul line, giving New Orleans an efficient source of points when its outside shooting was struggling.
The Pelicans shot only 5-of-21 from three-point range, or 24%. That meant much of their offensive success had to come from inside the arc and from free throws.
Fears fit that requirement well.
His ability to generate points without relying on three-point shooting was a major reason New Orleans reached 126 points.
Derik Queen Controlled the Glass
If Fears was the offensive leader, Derik Queen was the interior statistical force.
Queen finished with:
- 30 points
- 22 rebounds
The 22 rebounds were particularly significant because New Orleans finished with 52 team rebounds.
That means Queen personally accounted for more than 40% of the Pelicans’ total rebounds.
This is one of the strongest individual statistical takeaways from the game.
A 30-point, 22-rebound performance normally gives a team a major interior advantage. Yet Minnesota still won because it compensated through shooting efficiency, assists, and defensive activity.
Queen’s performance also explains why the Pelicans were able to remain dangerous late in the game.
Second-chance opportunities can become especially valuable when a team is shooting poorly from three-point range. New Orleans’ 24% three-point shooting could have created a much larger offensive problem, but its rebounding helped maintain possession pressure.
Micah Peavy Added Important Scoring
Micah Peavy was the third New Orleans player to make a significant scoring contribution.
He finished with 21 points.
Having three players score at least 21 points gave the Pelicans a balanced top end of their offense:
| Player | Points |
| Jeremiah Fears | 36 |
| Derik Queen | 30 |
| Micah Peavy | 21 |
Together, those three players scored 87 of New Orleans’ 126 points.
That means approximately 69% of the Pelicans’ total scoring came from those three players.
The concentration tells us something important about the game. New Orleans had enough individual scoring power to produce a high total, but it did not receive the same level of distributed offensive production from the rest of the lineup.
Terrence Shannon Jr. Led Minnesota in Scoring
Terrence Shannon Jr. finished as Minnesota’s leading scorer with 26 points.
His performance was especially valuable because the Timberwolves were operating without most of their regular top players.
That context matters when interpreting the numbers.
A 26-point performance in an ordinary regular-season game is useful. A 26-point performance in a game where a team is resting most of its primary players provides a different kind of information.
Shannon Jr. demonstrated that he could carry a larger offensive responsibility when given the opportunity.
The official NBA game page specifically highlighted his 26-point performance. (NBA.com)
Minnesota’s offense did not depend on one scorer, however.
Beringer scored 24, Pullin scored 19, and Ingles created opportunities for teammates with 10 assists.
That distribution was central to Minnesota’s success.
Joan Beringer Produced the Most Complete Statistical Game
Joan Beringer’s performance deserves special attention.
He recorded:
- 24 points
- 13 rebounds
- 7 blocks
The seven blocks were the most by any player in the game and represented the strongest individual defensive statistic.
Beringer was also Minnesota’s leading rebounder.
This combination of rim protection and rebounding was critical because Derik Queen was having such a strong offensive and rebounding night for New Orleans.
The matchup between Queen and Beringer created an interesting contrast.
Queen:
- 30 points
- 22 rebounds
Beringer:
- 24 points
- 13 rebounds
- 7 blocks
Queen produced the larger offensive and rebounding totals.
Beringer produced the more pronounced defensive impact.
That contrast helps explain why raw scoring totals alone do not tell the entire story of the game.
Joe Ingles’ 10 Assists Were a Major Factor
Joe Ingles was another important piece of Minnesota’s victory.
He finished with 10 assists.
That number becomes more meaningful when compared with the team’s overall assist total.
Minnesota finished with 32 assists.
Therefore, Ingles was directly responsible for more than 31% of the Timberwolves’ assists.
His playmaking helped Minnesota produce 45 made field goals on 89 attempts.
The Timberwolves did not simply score efficiently. They generated those scoring opportunities through collective ball movement.
This was one of the clearest statistical differences between the teams.
New Orleans finished with 20 assists.
Minnesota finished with 32.
That is a 12-assist advantage for the Timberwolves.
Shooting Efficiency Decided the Game
The most important team-level statistical difference was field-goal efficiency.
Minnesota
- 45-of-89 from the field
- 51% shooting
- 10-of-37 from three
- 27% from three
- 32-of-43 from the free-throw line
- 74% from the line
New Orleans
- 45-of-107 from the field
- 42% shooting
- 5-of-21 from three
- 24% from three
- 31-of-38 from the free-throw line
- 82% from the line
The number that stands out immediately is field-goal attempts.
Both teams made exactly 45 field goals.
But New Orleans needed 107 attempts to make those 45 baskets.
Minnesota needed only 89 attempts.
That is an 18-shot difference.
This is arguably the single most useful statistic for understanding why Minnesota won.
The Timberwolves made the same number of field goals while taking far fewer attempts.
That means Minnesota generated substantially more value from each field-goal opportunity.
Why Minnesota’s 51% Shooting Mattered
Minnesota’s 51% field-goal percentage was nine percentage points higher than New Orleans’ 42%.
That difference is enormous over 89 to 107 attempts.
The Timberwolves did not shoot particularly well from three, connecting on only 27% of their attempts.
So this was not a victory built primarily on perimeter shooting.
Instead, Minnesota’s offense benefited from overall shot-making efficiency.
The team made 45 shots from the field, compared with 45 for New Orleans, but avoided the inefficient volume that hurt the Pelicans.
This is a useful lesson when evaluating NBA box scores.
A team can make the same number of shots and still lose because it needs many more attempts to get there.
Three-Point Shooting Was Weak for Both Teams
Neither team produced a strong three-point shooting night.
Minnesota:
10-of-37, 27%
New Orleans:
5-of-21, 24%
Minnesota attempted 16 more three-pointers and made five more.
That gave the Timberwolves a 15-point advantage in made three-point baskets in raw scoring value.
However, neither team could be described as having an efficient perimeter shooting performance.
The difference was volume.
Minnesota continued to generate three-point attempts, even though the conversion rate was poor.
New Orleans took fewer attempts but converted an even smaller percentage.
This is another reason the game should not be interpreted simply as a three-point shooting battle.
The decisive factors were broader.
Free Throws Helped New Orleans Stay Close
The Pelicans were highly efficient from the free-throw line.
They made 31 of 38 attempts, an 82% conversion rate.
Minnesota made 32 of 43, or 74%.
New Orleans therefore had the better free-throw percentage and came close to matching Minnesota in made free throws.
This helped the Pelicans maintain offensive pressure despite their poor three-point shooting.
The free-throw difference also demonstrates why the game reached 126 points for New Orleans despite a 42% overall field-goal percentage.
The Pelicans were able to compensate for inefficient shooting by getting to the line and converting.
Rebounding: New Orleans Had the Edge
New Orleans finished with 52 rebounds.
Minnesota finished with 47.
That gave the Pelicans a five-rebound advantage.
At first glance, that appears to be a clear area of superiority for New Orleans.
Queen’s 22 rebounds were the main reason.
However, rebounding did not translate into victory because Minnesota’s other statistical advantages were more significant.
The Timberwolves were more efficient from the field, produced 12 more assists and recorded 13 blocks compared with six for New Orleans.
The result demonstrates that one category rarely determines an NBA game by itself.
Minnesota’s 13 Blocks Changed the Interior Matchup
One of the most striking numbers in the box score is Minnesota’s 13 blocks.
New Orleans had six.
That gave the Timberwolves a seven-block advantage.
Joan Beringer accounted for seven of Minnesota’s 13 blocks himself.
That means he produced more blocks than the entire Pelicans team.
This is particularly important given Queen’s 22-rebound, 30-point performance.
New Orleans was able to win the rebounding battle, but Minnesota made the paint much harder to attack efficiently.
The seven-block performance from Beringer was therefore more than a personal achievement.
It helped Minnesota offset New Orleans’ interior production.
Turnovers Were Not the Main Story
Minnesota committed 11 turnovers.
New Orleans committed only nine.
The Pelicans therefore won the turnover battle by two.
This is another category where New Orleans performed reasonably well but still lost.
The Pelicans did not beat themselves with excessive turnovers.
Instead, Minnesota’s advantage came from shooting efficiency, passing and defensive disruption.
The Timberwolves also recorded five steals, compared with nine for New Orleans.
So the Pelicans actually had advantages in both steals and turnovers.
Yet those advantages were not enough to overcome Minnesota’s stronger overall offensive efficiency.
Team Statistical Comparison
Here is the clearest side-by-side view of the game.
| Statistic | Pelicans | Timberwolves |
| Final Score | 126 | 132 |
| Field Goals | 45-107 | 45-89 |
| FG Percentage | 42% | 51% |
| Three-Pointers | 5-21 | 10-37 |
| 3PT Percentage | 24% | 27% |
| Free Throws | 31-38 | 32-43 |
| FT Percentage | 82% | 74% |
| Rebounds | 52 | 47 |
| Assists | 20 | 32 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 11 |
| Steals | 9 | 5 |
| Blocks | 6 | 13 |
The table reveals an unusual game.
New Orleans won:
- Rebounding
- Turnovers
- Steals
- Free-throw percentage
Minnesota won:
- Field-goal percentage
- Made three-pointers
- Assists
- Blocks
- Final score
The difference between those categories explains why a six-point final margin can still hide a fairly clear statistical advantage.
The First Half Created the Winning Margin
Minnesota’s first-half performance was the foundation of the victory.
The Timberwolves scored:
- 34 points in the first quarter
- 39 points in the second quarter
That produced 73 first-half points.
New Orleans scored:
- 24 points in the first quarter
- 35 points in the second quarter
That produced 59.
Minnesota therefore entered halftime ahead by 14.
New Orleans responded with 31 points in the third quarter while holding Minnesota to 24.
That reduced the deficit to seven.
The fourth quarter was close enough to create genuine late-game pressure, but Minnesota scored 35 points and kept New Orleans from completing the comeback.
The scoring pattern was:
Minnesota: 73 first half, 59 second half
New Orleans: 59 first half, 67 second half
That shows the Pelicans became more productive as the game progressed, but Minnesota’s early offensive advantage was too large to erase.
What the Game Says About Minnesota’s Depth
One of the most interesting elements of this matchup was the Timberwolves’ lineup situation.
The official NBA recap notes that Minnesota rested nine of its top 10 players because the team had already secured its playoff position. (NBA.com)
That changes how the individual statistics should be interpreted.
Shannon Jr., Beringer, Pullin and Ingles were not simply filling normal roles.
They were asked to absorb responsibilities that usually belong to higher-profile players.
The fact that Minnesota still scored 132 points is therefore significant.
It suggests that the team’s depth could create legitimate offensive production when given larger roles.
Beringer’s 24-point, 13-rebound and seven-block performance was especially notable under those circumstances.
What the Game Says About New Orleans
New Orleans’ biggest positive was the development and production of its young players.
Fears finished with 36 points and 10 rebounds.
Queen finished with 30 points and 22 rebounds.
Peavy added 21 points.
Those performances gave the Pelicans a productive offensive core for the night.
Fears was particularly impressive because he combined scoring with playmaking, rebounding and defensive statistics.
Queen’s rebounding production was also difficult to overlook.
The challenge for New Orleans was converting individual production into team efficiency.
The Pelicans scored 126 points, which is a strong offensive total.
But they needed 107 field-goal attempts to reach 45 makes.
That is where the team’s statistical profile became less efficient than Minnesota’s.
Why the Final Score Can Be Misleading
A six-point victory can sometimes suggest an evenly matched game from start to finish.
This was not quite that type of contest.
Minnesota built the initial advantage.
New Orleans spent the second half trying to reduce it.
The official game data shows zero lead changes and zero times tied. (NBA.com)
That tells us something important.
The game was competitive in terms of scoring, but Minnesota never surrendered control of the lead.
The Pelicans repeatedly pressured the Timberwolves, especially in the second half, but never converted that pressure into an actual lead.
A Closer Look at Offensive Distribution
Minnesota’s 32 assists are one of the strongest indicators of its offensive structure.
New Orleans recorded 20.
The 12-assist difference is substantial.
Minnesota therefore generated a larger share of its offense through coordinated team play.
That is especially relevant because its three-point shooting was only 27%.
If the Timberwolves had relied heavily on hot perimeter shooting, their offensive efficiency could have fallen sharply.
Instead, their 51% field-goal percentage shows that their overall shot-making remained strong.
New Orleans, meanwhile, had three major scoring performances but fewer assists.
This created a more concentrated offensive attack.
The Importance of Shot Attempts
The difference between 89 and 107 field-goal attempts deserves another look.
Minnesota took 18 fewer field-goal attempts while making exactly the same number of shots.
That means New Orleans had to work much harder to produce the same number of made field goals.
This is one of the simplest ways to evaluate offensive efficiency without needing complicated advanced metrics.
Ask two questions:
- How many shots did the team make?
- How many shots did it need to make them?
Both teams made 45.
Minnesota needed 89 attempts.
New Orleans needed 107.
That difference strongly favors Minnesota.
Individual Statistical Leaders at a Glance
Pelicans
Points: Jeremiah Fears, 36
Rebounds: Derik Queen, 22
Assists: Jeremiah Fears, 5
Third-leading scorer: Micah Peavy, 21
Timberwolves
Points: Terrence Shannon Jr., 26
Rebounds: Joan Beringer, 13
Assists: Joe Ingles, 10
Blocks: Joan Beringer, 7
These numbers make the matchup easy to summarize.
New Orleans was powered by Fears and Queen.
Minnesota received broader production and exceptional defensive work from Beringer.
The Biggest Statistical Takeaways
Several conclusions stand out from the box score.
1. Minnesota won through efficiency
The Timberwolves shot 51% compared with 42% for New Orleans.
That nine-point field-goal percentage advantage was central to the result.
2. New Orleans won the rebounding battle
The Pelicans collected 52 rebounds compared with Minnesota’s 47.
Queen’s 22 rebounds were the major individual factor.
3. Minnesota dominated assists
The Timberwolves had 32 assists compared with 20 for New Orleans.
That 12-assist advantage reflects stronger offensive distribution.
4. Beringer’s defense mattered
Seven blocks from one player helped Minnesota neutralize some of New Orleans’ interior production.
5. Fears was the game’s top scorer
His 36 points were the highest individual scoring total on either side.
6. Minnesota built the lead early
The Timberwolves were ahead 73-59 at halftime.
New Orleans improved considerably after halftime, but the early deficit remained decisive.
How to Read These Player Stats Correctly
When examining a matchup like this, it is easy to focus on the highest scorer.
That would make Fears the obvious headline.
However, a deeper evaluation shows that several different players influenced the outcome in different ways.
Fears drove New Orleans’ scoring.
Queen controlled the boards.
Peavy supplied secondary scoring.
Shannon Jr. led Minnesota in points.
Beringer influenced scoring, rebounding and rim protection.
Ingles facilitated the offense.
This is why a useful player-stat analysis should consider several categories rather than ranking players by points alone.
Points explain who scored.
Rebounds explain who controlled missed shots.
Assists show who helped create scoring opportunities.
Blocks reveal defensive disruption.
Shooting percentage shows how efficiently players and teams converted opportunities.
Looking at all of these categories together provides a much clearer picture.
Historical Context of the Matchup
Minnesota also completed the season series with a 3-1 advantage over New Orleans.
That gives the Timberwolves another important edge when reviewing the season matchup.
However, the final game had unusual circumstances because Minnesota had already secured its playoff position and rested most of its regular rotation.
Therefore, this particular game should not be treated as a perfect representation of the teams’ standard lineups.
It is better viewed as a combination of:
- Minnesota’s depth being tested
- New Orleans’ young players receiving significant opportunities
- A regular-season finale with different competitive priorities
- A high-scoring game decided by efficiency
That context prevents the statistics from being overinterpreted.
What Fans Should Remember From the Box Score
- The most memorable number may be Fears’ 36 points.
- The most unusual number may be Queen’s 22 rebounds.
- The most complete individual line belongs to Beringer, who combined 24 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocks.
But the most important team number is probably 51%.
That was Minnesota’s field-goal percentage.
The Timberwolves did not need an outstanding three-point shooting night.
They did not win the rebounding battle.
They did not win the turnover battle.
Instead, they made their shots at a significantly better rate and created far more assists.
That combination was enough to produce a six-point victory.
Final Assessment
The timberwolves vs new orleans pelicans match player stats show two very different paths to offensive production.
New Orleans received outstanding individual performances from Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. Fears scored 36 points and added 10 rebounds and five assists, while Queen delivered 30 points and 22 rebounds. Micah Peavy’s 21 points gave the Pelicans a third major scoring option.
Minnesota responded with a more balanced statistical profile.
Terrence Shannon Jr. led the Timberwolves with 26 points. Joan Beringer added 24 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocks. Zyon Pullin scored 19, while Joe Ingles produced 10 assists.
The decisive difference was efficiency and distribution.
Both teams made 45 field goals, but Minnesota needed only 89 attempts compared with New Orleans’ 107. The Timberwolves also produced 32 assists against 20 for the Pelicans and recorded 13 blocks against six.
New Orleans had the better rebounding total and committed fewer turnovers, but those advantages did not compensate for Minnesota’s shooting and passing efficiency.
The result was a 132-126 Minnesota victory and a 3-1 Timberwolves edge in the season series.
From an analytical standpoint, this game is a useful reminder that the leading scorer does not always define the winning formula. Fears had the highest individual scoring total, Queen dominated the glass, and yet Minnesota’s collective efficiency ultimately determined the result.
For readers studying the box score, the clearest takeaway is simple: New Orleans produced bigger individual numbers in several categories, while Minnesota produced the more efficient team performance.
FAQs
Who was the leading scorer in the Timberwolves vs Pelicans game?
Jeremiah Fears was the leading scorer with 36 points for New Orleans. Terrence Shannon Jr. led Minnesota with 26 points.
How many points did Derik Queen score?
Derik Queen scored 30 points and added 22 rebounds for the Pelicans.
How many points did Joan Beringer score?
Joan Beringer scored 24 points for Minnesota while also recording 13 rebounds and seven blocks.
Which team won the game?
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 132-126 at Target Center.
How many assists did Joe Ingles have?
Joe Ingles recorded 10 assists for Minnesota.
Which team had the better field-goal percentage?
Minnesota shot 51% from the field, while New Orleans shot 42%.
Conclusion
The timberwolves vs new orleans pelicans match player stats provide a strong example of why complete box-score analysis matters.
New Orleans had the game’s top scorer in Jeremiah Fears, the game’s leading rebounder in Derik Queen and a third 20-point scorer in Micah Peavy. Those performances kept the Pelicans competitive and helped them score 126 points.
Minnesota, however, produced the more efficient overall performance. The Timberwolves shot 51% from the field, recorded 32 assists, blocked 13 shots and received balanced contributions from Shannon Jr., Beringer, Pullin and Ingles.
Beringer’s seven blocks were particularly important against a Pelicans team that generated 52 rebounds and featured a dominant 22-rebound performance from Queen.
The final 132-126 score therefore does not tell the entire story. Minnesota established control early, built a 14-point halftime lead and maintained that advantage despite New Orleans’ strong second-half response.
The matchup ultimately came down to efficiency, ball movement and defensive disruption. Those areas allowed Minnesota to finish the regular season with a victory even without most of its primary rotation players.
