NBA: Timberwolves' reserves take spotlight in final game, beating Pelicans

Rookie big man Joan Beringer made an impactful performance with 24 points and 13 rebounds, and the Minnesota Timberwolves secured a 132-126 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night in their regular-season finale.

Terrence Shannon Jr. led the Timberwolves with 26 points, while the team leaned on its younger players and reserves. Zyon Pullin came off the bench to contribute 19 points, and Joe Ingles, who made a rare start, delivered a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists.

Jeremiah Fears had a standout performance for the Pelicans, scoring 36 points on 12-for-29 shooting. Derik Queen added a double-double with 30 points and 22 rebounds, while Micah Peavy contributed 21 points.

Although the Timberwolves were already locked in as the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, the game held significance as it was their last opportunity to finalize preparations. Minnesota will now face the Denver Nuggets in the first round, as the Nuggets secured the No. 3 seed after defeating the San Antonio Spurs earlier in the night.

The Timberwolves had a solid lead late in the game, holding off a determined Pelicans squad. Beringer sealed the win by making a pair of free throws to give Minnesota a 124-114 advantage with 1:21 remaining. Fears responded with a three-point play to trim the deficit to seven points at 124-117 with 1:15 left.

On New Orleans' next possession, Queen scored a layup to make it a 125-119 game with just 55.2 seconds on the clock. However, Minnesota kept the pressure on with Shannon’s clutch free-throw shooting, as he made 7 of 8 free throws in the final minute to preserve the lead.

The Timberwolves led 73-59 at halftime, highlighted by Julian Phillips’ alley-oop dunk off a feed from Jaylen Clark in the final seconds of the first half.

Both teams were missing key starters for the season finale. Minnesota sat out their top scorer, Anthony Edwards, due to right knee inflammation, and also played without Jaden McDaniels (left knee maintenance), Rudy Gobert (rest), Julius Randle (right hand injury management), Naz Reid (right shoulder injury management), and Ayo Dosunmu (right calf injury management).

New Orleans rested Herbert Jones and Saddiq Bey and were also without star forward Zion Williamson, who missed the game due to right knee injury management.

With the regular season now behind them, the Timberwolves look forward to their playoff matchup against the Nuggets, while the Pelicans shift their focus to building for next season.

— Field Level Media/Reuters