Timberwolves Beat Pelicans in Season Finale With Garnett’s Return

The Minnesota Timberwolves concluded their regular season on April 12, 2026, with a 132-126 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. The game served as a fan appreciation night and featured the first visit to the Target Center in eight years by franchise icon Kevin Garnett.

Entering the finale, the Timberwolves had already secured the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference. The team rested nine of its top 10 players to prepare for the upcoming playoffs.

The Return of Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett, the Hall of Fame forward and the franchise leader in nearly every major statistical category, made a special appearance at the arena. Garnett entered the building alongside Timberwolves co-owners Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore following the introduction of the players.

During his appearance, Garnett greeted current star Anthony Edwards with a bear hug before taking a courtside seat for the remainder of the contest.

The appearance follows a previous falling out between Garnett and former owner Glen Taylor after Garnett’s playing career ended. Last year, Garnett reached an agreement with the organization to serve as an ambassador. The team has announced that his No. 21 jersey will be retired at a future date.

Game Performance and Key Statistics

Despite the absence of most regulars, the Timberwolves managed a six-point victory. Joe Ingles received a token start and contributed 15 points and 10 assists.

Rookie forward Joan Beringer provided a significant impact for Minnesota, recording 24 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks.

The New Orleans Pelicans, who had been eliminated from playoff contention well before the finale, finished the season with a 27-55 record. The Pelicans were led by Jeremiah Fears, who scored 36 points and grabbed 10 rebounds across 82 games played this season.

Another standout performance for New Orleans came from rookie Derik Queen, who scored 30 points and recorded a career-high 22 rebounds. Queen appeared in 81 games during his rookie campaign.

Team Statistics and Standings

The final box score reflected a high-scoring affair with the following team statistics:

• Minnesota Timberwolves: 49-33 overall record, 51% field goal percentage (45-89), and 27% three-point percentage (10-37).
• New Orleans Pelicans: 27-55 overall record, 42% field goal percentage (45-108), and 24% three-point percentage (5-21).

The Timberwolves’ victory brings their total home record to 26-15. The Pelicans’ away record concludes at 9-32.

With the regular season finished, the Timberwolves now move forward as the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference to begin their playoff run.