Minnesota Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart for Jan. 7 | 2024-25 NBA season

The Minnesota Timberwolves and the New Orleans Pelicans face each other on Tuesday, their first of three meetings this season. Minnesota, coming off a come-from-behind 108-106 win over the LA Clippers less than 24 hours ago, hopes to nail its first winning streak in 2025. Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle will lead the Timberwolves.

Meanwhile, the well-rested Pelicans will look to extend a modest two-game winning streak despite lingering injury concerns. New Orleans, which snapped an 11-game losing streak with consecutive wins against the Washington Wizards, is again short-handed when they host the Timberwolves.

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Minnesota Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report

Minnesota Timberwolves injury report

The Timberwolves haven't yet submitted their injury report because they will play the second game of a back-to-back set. Unless the training staff holds out somebody, the visitors have their core players available.

Rookie Rob Dillingham remains out due to a sprained ankle and will be re-evaluated after 1-2 weeks.

New Orleans Pelicans injury report

Zion Williamson, who hasn't played since Nov. 6 due to a strained hamstring, has been upgraded to questionable. Karlo Matkovic (low back) and former All-Star Dejounte Murray (right elbow soreness) are questionable.

Trey Murphy III (left ankle sprain) and Brandon Ingram (left ankle sprain) are on the inactive list.

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Minnesota Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans starting lineups and depth chart

Minnesota Timberwolves starting lineup and depth chart

Starters	2nd	3rd
Mike Conley	Donte DiVincenzo	Tristen Newton
Anthony Edwards	Nickeil Alexander-Walker	Terrence Shannon Jr.
Jaden McDaniels	Josh Minott	Joe Ingles
Julius Randle	Leonard Miller
Rudy Gobert	Naz Reid	Luka Garza

New Orleans Pelicans starting lineup and depth chart

Starters	2nd	3rd
Dejounte Murray	Jose Alvarado
CJ McCollum	Jordan Hawkins
Brandon Boston	Javonte Green	Jamal Cain
Herbert Jones	Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
Yves Missi	Daniel Theis	Trey Jemison III

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Minnesota Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans: Key matchups

Anthony Edwards vs Herb Jones

Herb Jones versus Anthony Edwards is the matchup to watch out for in the Timberwolves-Pelicans game. Jones is easily the home team’s best and most versatile defender, while Ant-Man is Minnesota’s franchise cornerstone.

Jones’ attention on Edwards likely forces mismatches in other areas if the New Orleans Pelicans don’t use a two-big lineup. If New Orleans plays Jones at power forward and asks him to guard Edwards, Julius Randle becomes a problem.

Still, the Pelicans might be willing to take that chance rather than have Edwards get his rhythm and have a big scoring night.

Julius Randle vs Jeremiah Robinson-Earl or Zion Williamson

If Zion Williamson makes a surprising appearance, the bulky power forward gets a natural matchup with Julius Randle. Backup forward/center Jeremiah Robinson-Earl assumes that task if Zanos is still ruled out.

Jones could slow down Edwards with his size, length, anticipation and defensive skills. If that happens, the Pelicans have to make sure Randle doesn’t get off because New Orleans’ defense will be in trouble.

Randle was on fire in December, averaging 22.0 points on 53.6% shooting, including 45.5% from deep. Whoever gets the task of guarding him must step up for the Pelicans to have a chance of pulling off an upset.

Rudy Gobert vs Yves Missi

The Pelicans allow 11.7 offensive rebounds per game, 24th in the NBA. How the rookie Yves Missi will keep Rudy Gobert off the glass for extra possessions will be crucial. Missi has been playing well but has to contend better on the glass to prevent the Minnesota Timberwolves from running away with second-chance points.