Pelicans lost to Timberwolves 108-113

The Timberwolves lost their starting center after he threw a punch at a teammate on the bench. In the regular-season finale between the two teams, the Pelicans were the team that left the Target Center court looking confused after crumbling in the second half of a 113-108 defeat to Minnesota. Due to the defeat, New Orleans will host Oklahoma City on Wednesday for the Western Conference Play-In Tournament meeting between 9 and 10. The Pelicans' season would be over if they lost to the Thunder.

Both New Orleans and Minnesota entered Sunday's championship game with the knowledge that the victor would have a far better chance of qualifying for the playoffs. Jaden McDaniels' self-inflicted injury and Rudy Gobert's bizarre argument with Kyle Anderson on the bench put Minnesota on the edge of a stunning loss in a crucial game.