Untraded Davis scores 32 as Pelicans top Minnesota

Anthony Davis didn’t need long to win back the crowd after being booed during his pregame introduction and the first few chances he had to handle the ball.

But the Pelicans sought to close out a close game without Davis on the courtanyway—and narrowly pulled it off. Playing for first time since asking to be traded, Davis had 32 points, nine rebounds and three blocks in 25 minutes, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 122117 on Friday.

Jrue Holiday had 27 points and nine assists and Kenrich Williams 19 points — and they led New Orleans’ offense in the fourth quarter, when Davis was kept on the bench despite the fact that the teams were separated by as little as one basket several times in the waning minutes.

Instead of playing Davis, coach Alvin Gentry sent in Julius Randle, who came through with two inside baskets and clutch free throws in the final minutes.

Karl-anthony Towns scored 32 points for Minnesota, and his driving dunk pulled the Timberwolves as close as 114-112 in the final minute. But Randle responded with one of his late baskets inside and then rebounded Towns’ missed jump hook with 16 seconds left.

Davis looked determined from the outset to justify his continued presence on the court, however awkward it might be for a franchise that had seemed inclined to move on without him.

Pressured by the NBA not to sit a healthy star they had refused to unload by Thursday’s trading deadline for this season, the Pelicans announced Davis would return to the starting lineup.

Andrew Wiggins scored 23 points for Minnesota, which shot and rebounded marginally better than New Orleans but was outscored 27-16 on free throws.

By halftime, Davis had 24 points, and his highlights included a reverse alleyoop tip at the front of the rim while being foul and crashing to the floor on his back.

Davis was fine, and he reached 30 points before the middle of the third quarter.

At Phoenix, Klay Thompson scored 25 points and Kevin Durant 21 for Golden State, which trailed by three entering the fourth quarter. Findlay Prep product Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 25 points and Deandre Ayton 23 for Phoenix, which was without top scorer Devin Booker (tight right hamstring).

At Philadelphia, J.J. Redick scored a season-high 34 points for Philadelphia, which retired three-time NBA MVP Moses Malone’s No. 2 jersey at halftime and unveiled a sculpture of the 13-time All-star. Nikola Jokic led Denver with 27 points.

— At Dallas, Giannis Antetokounmpo had 29 points and 17 rebounds for Milwaukee, which shot 54 percent despite missing 26 of 36 3-point tries in its sixth win in a row. Rookie Luka Doncic scored 20 points for Dallas.

At Washington, Bobby Portis scored 30 points in his Washington debut. Collin Sexton scored 27 points for Cleveland, which welcomed back Kevin Love after the five-time All-star had missed 50 games after left foot surgery.

At Sacramento, Calif., Buddy Hield scored 23 points for Sacramento, which closed on a 9-0 run while overcoming an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit. Hassan Whiteside had 17 points and 19 rebounds for Miami.

At Detroit, Andre Drummond had 29 points and 20 rebounds for Detroit, which dealt New York its 15th straight loss. Dennis Smith scored 31 points for the Knicks, who have lost 28 of their past 30.

At New York, Lauri Markkanen had 31 points and 18 rebounds for Chicago, which scored more than 100 points for the

17th straight game. D’angelo Russell led Brooklyn with 23 points.