On Thursday night in Inglewood, Calif., Anthony Edwards delivered a strong performance, scoring 31 points to help the Minnesota Timberwolves secure a 94-88 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. This marked the Timberwolves’ continued momentum since the All-Star break, as they improved to 3-1 in that span and 5-1 since February 9.
Edwards, returning to the arena where he had been named All-Star MVP, made a crucial step-back three-pointer over two defenders with just 42.9 seconds remaining to put Minnesota ahead 92-88, effectively sealing the game. He shot 12 of 24 from the field during the contest.
Team Contributions Support Edwards’ Efforts
Supporting Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo added 18 points, while Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmu each contributed 12 points. Rudy Gobert secured 13 rebounds, aiding the Timberwolves’ strong defensive and rebounding presence. Despite a sluggish second quarter scoring only 15 points, Minnesota maintained a halftime lead of 44-38.
Although the Clippers managed a six-point lead in the third quarter and entered the final period ahead 68-63, the Timberwolves regained control. Edwards’ drive and reverse layup gave Minnesota a 76-74 lead with around 7:40 left, shifting momentum for the remainder of the game.
Clippers Struggle Without Kawhi Leonard
The Clippers faced offensive difficulties without their star player Kawhi Leonard, sidelined due to an ankle injury. Derrick Jones Jr. led the team with 18 points, while Bennedict Mathurin contributed 14 and Kris Dunn added 11. However, Los Angeles produced just 38 points in the first half, their lowest this season, shooting a poor 18.2 percent in the second quarter.
Overall, the Clippers managed 40.5 percent shooting from the floor, compared to Minnesota’s 43.4 percent. The loss marked the Clippers’ third consecutive defeat, their longest skid since December.
Looking Ahead for Both Teams
The Timberwolves will continue their road trip with a game in Denver on Sunday, aiming to maintain their positive form. Meanwhile, the Clippers will look to recover at home against New Orleans later the same day, hoping to bounce back from their recent setbacks.
