The Detroit Pistons surged into a strong playoff position by going 10-1 in a stretch that began Feb. 7. The Pistons have gained respect around the league with their playoff push, but coach J.B. Bickerstaff said they're not getting the same level of respect from officials after a technical foul-laden 113-107 loss to visiting Oklahoma City on Saturday night. "I'm extremely proud of the way they continued to compete," Bickerstaff said of his players. Detroit was called for five technicals, including two on leading scorer Cade Cunningham, causing his ejection.
The New Orleans Pelicans and Detroit Pistons will meet for the first time this year on Monday night at the Smoothie King Center. New Orleans has beaten the Pistons seven straight times, dating back to the 2019-2020 season. However, the Pistons are in line for playoff contention this year. Detroit is currently 37-31 in the season, which is good enough for sixth place in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons seek to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2018-2019 season. Meanshile, New Orleans was officially eliminated from the playoffs last week and already is looking to next season. Both teams released their injury report for Monday's game. St. Patrick's Day Hoops
: vs Pistons
:
Trey Murphy was in the midst of a career season with the Pelicans.
The New Orleans Pelicans' injury-ravaged season has led to the team compiling an 18-51 record and possessing the No. 14 seed in the Western Conference, but their season was made somewhat entertaining due to the excellent play of Zion Williamson. In fact, their general manager Bryson Graham could do so in a swap for another top draft choice by shipping him to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for a package centered around the No. 1 selection from 2018, Deandre Ayton.
The New Orleans Pelicans (18-51) hope to stop a three-game losing streak when visiting the Minnesota Timberwolves (40-30) at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Target Center. The Timberwolves are a double-digit favorite against the Pelicans when the Timberwolves and the Pelicans square off. The Timberwolves are favored by 12.5 points.
The New Orleans Pelicans head north to Minneapolis on Wednesday night, hoping to avoid extending their three-game road losing streak as they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves. It's the second matchup of the season between these two teams, but the first of a quick back-to-back set, with another game scheduled in Minnesota for Friday. With Trey Murphy now added to the list of the wounded, head coach Willie Green will have to do some more major lineup juggling. Only six players who suited up back on January 7—when the Pels last saw the Timberwolves—are available for this one.
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Zion Williamson scored 29 points and CJ McCollum added 18 for New Orleans as the Pelicans surprised the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 119-115 win on Wednesday night. The Timberwolves have lost two straight after winning eight in a row. Minnesota is in a battle with Golden State for the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference. Wednesday's loss drops Minnesota a full game behind the Warriors.After trailing 43-32 in the second quarter, the Pelicans went on a 14-0 run to take a 46-43 lead. The two teams went back and forth for most of the rest of the game but Minnesota never could establish a comfortable lead against the Pelicans.Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 29 points. Julius
Something seems to be off with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The good news, veteran forward Julius Randle said, is that the Timberwolves still have time to snap back into shape as the regular season winds down. "We've just got to get our energy back, man -- our swag," Randle said. Minnesota (40-31) will aim for a better result when it tips off against the New Orleans Pelicans (19-51) for the second time in three days Friday night in Minneapolis.
The New Orleans Pelicans ruled star forward Zion Williamson out of their game at Minnesota on Friday with a bruised lower back, two days after he scored 29 points on 12-for-16 shooting with eight rebounds and three steals in a victory over the Timberwolves. The oft-injured Williamson had a 27-game absence earlier this season to a strained left hamstring and has been sidelined for various reasons on several other occasions. The first overall pick in the 2019 draft has played in only 214 games over his six NBA seasons, including 30 games in 2024-25 for the struggling Pelicans. New Orleans, which is second-to-last in the Western Conference, has also been without key players Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray, Herbert Jones and Brandon Boston to long-term injuries.
Julius Randle had 20 points, six rebounds and five assists and the Minnesota Timberwolves avoided losing to one of the Western Conference's worst teams for the second time in three days with a 134-93 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards each scored 17 points, and Rudy Gobert had 13 points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota, which moved back within a game of Golden State for the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference with 10 games left in the regular season.
The New Orleans Pelicans ruled star forward Zion Williamson out of their game at Minnesota on Friday with a bruised lower back, two days after he scored 29 points on 12-for-16 shooting with eight rebounds and three steals in a victory over the Timberwolves. The oft-injured Williamson had a 27-game absence earlier this season to a strained left hamstring and has been sidelined for various reasons on several other occasions. The first overall pick in the 2019 draft has played in only 214 games over his six NBA seasons, including 30 games in 2024-25 for the struggling Pelicans. New Orleans, which is second-to-last in the Western Conference, has also been without key players Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray, Herbert Jones and Brandon Boston to long-term injuries.
The Philadelphia 76ers will finish up their 6-game road trip on Monday when they take on the New Orleans Pelicans.
Karlo Matkovic had a season-high 19 points and eight assists, Antonio Reeves had five 3-pointers and 17 points and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Philadelphia 76ers 112-99 on Monday night. Rookie Yves Missi finished with 16 points and nine rebounds, Kelly Olynyk added 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Keion Brooks Jr. added 10 points for New Orleans, which shot 43% (15 for 35) from long distance. Two-time All-Star Zion Williamson missed his third straight game for the Pelicans.
Coach Nick Nurse evaluates the 6-game road trip for the Philadelphia 76ers after they fell to the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday.
The Golden State Warriors are currently on a two-game losing streak, suffering a crushing loss on Saturday to the Atlanta Hawks and once again on Tuesday against the Miami Heat. While many things can be to blame for the losses, highlighted by the absence of Steph Curry due to a pelvic contusion. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr believes there is no time for pity, saying that the biggest game of the season is right around the corner as the Warriors are set to face off against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. "The biggest game of the year for us," Kerr said.
