What happened: The New Orleans Pelicans host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday to open NBA Cup group play at 7 p.m. CT. New Orleans enters having won four consecutive games, while Minnesota carries a two-game winning streak into the matchup.

Why it matters: Both teams enter tournament play over .500 on the season, with Minnesota at 6-3 and New Orleans sitting at 4-4. The contest serves as the opening group fixture for both clubs as they seek early positioning in tournament qualification.

What to watch: Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CT, with television coverage on GCSEN and Pelicans+ alongside radio broadcast on WWL Radio.