Pelicans erase 18-point second-half deficit in 119-115 win over Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Saddiq Bay scored 30 points, including two free throws with 10.8 seconds remaining, helping the New Orleans Pelicans overcome an 18-point second-half deficit in a 119-115 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.

Zion Williamson added 29 points and Trey Murphy III scored 26 as the Pelicans snapped a three-game skid

Minnesota took a brief one-point lead with 50 seconds remaining on a 3-pointer by Bones Hyland, but Williamson converted a three-point play to put the Pelicans up 117-115 with 35.5 seconds to play.

Anthony Edwards' shot fell short and Bey grabbed the rebound and was fouled by Julius Randle with 10.8 seconds to play.

Edwards finished with 35 points in the loss, including 23 in the first half. Randle added 24 points, while Rudy Gobert grabbed 16 rebounds to go with his 12 points.

Pelicans rookie Derik Queen scored 17 points and was 4 for 4 from 3-point range. He entered having made just 10 shots from deep all season.

The Timberwolves led 77-59 early in the third quarter but watched that lead evaporate midway through the fourth. Murphy connected from 3-point range on consecutive possessions to briefly cut it to four points late in the third, and Bey scored five straight points to tie it at 102 in the fourth.

Minnesota's Jaden McDaniels was in foul trouble throughout. He picked up his third foul early in the second quarter and was whistled for his fourth early in the third. That forced Wolves coach Chris Finch to turn to a number of unique lineups, including a season-high 10 minutes for seldom-used Johnny Juzang.

The Wolves struggled to slow Williamson in the paint. The Pelicans star connected on 11 of his 13 shots, all in the post.

Pelicans: Host Sacramento on Monday.

Timberwolves: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

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Minnesota Timberwolves guards Ayo Dosunmu, front, and Julian Phillips, rear, look around during a timeout after the first quarter of an NBA basketball game with the New Orleans Pelicans Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Minneapolis. The two were traded to Minnesota the day before. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) tries to strip the ball from New Orleans Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears, left, in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III, left, in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle, left, works against New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Saddiq Bey (41) works around Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown had 29 points while Payton Pritchard scored 24 points to help the Boston Celtics make their biggest comeback of the season, rallying from a 22-point deficit to defeat the Miami Heat 98-96 on Friday night.

Derrick White hit a 3-pointer from the corner with 1:31 remaining that provided the Celtics — winners of five straight — the final margin. White shot 6 of 20 but ended up with 21 points.

Nikola Vucevic had a double-double in his first game with the Celtics, finishing with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Boston made 9 of its final 15 shots from 3 after missing 20 of 21 from deep to start the game.

Miami had a chance to win it in regulation, but Davion Mitchell missed a 3-pointer from the corner with 2.7 seconds remaining. Andrew Wiggins led the Heat with 26 points while All-Star Norman Powell had 24 points.

Miami wasted little time serving notice that it would be a long first half for Boston. The Heat jumped out to a 15-2 lead and led by as many 22 points before pulling into halftime up 59-38. The Celtics shot just 28% during the first two quarters, but things changed in the third quarter.

Up 67-49, Miami watched as Boston outscored the visitors 25-7 over the final 7:06 of the third quarter. White and Pritchard started the comeback with back-to-back 3-pointers, then Pritchard hit a 3 coming out of a timeout that cut Miami’s lead to 67-58.

White gave Boston its first lead of the game when he knocked down two free throws that snapped a 72-all score with 9.1 seconds left in the third, but Powell’s layup at the buzzer knotted it at 74-74 heading into the fourth.

Acquired at the trade deadline, Vucevic received a nice hand from the TD Garden crowd when the veteran forward checked in at 8:58 of the first quarter. The 35-year-old was serenaded with chants of “Voooch!” after finishing inside for a pair of hoops as part of the Celtics’ third-quarter surge.

Boston has now won all three meetings against Miami.

Heat: at Washington on Sunday.

Celtics: host Knicks on Sunday.

NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) drives to the basket against Miami Heat guard Dru Smith (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) looks to shoot over Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (24) is pressured by Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) on a drive to the basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) celebrates after hitting a 3-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)