LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 37 points, Nickeil Alexander-Walker added a season-high 28, and the Minnesota Timberwolves came back from an early 22-point deficit for a 118-100 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night.
Kawhi Leonard left the game with back spasms between the first two quarters, the Clippers said. He played the entire first quarter, but was seen leaving the Clippers’ downtown arena during the second quarter.
Mike Conley scored 23 points with five 3-pointers for the Timberwolves, who avoided their first three-game losing streak of the season thanks to a huge rally after Leonard’s departure. Rudy Gobert had eight points and 11 rebounds before leaving the game late with an apparent chest injury.
After trailing 57-35 midway through the second quarter, Minnesota took control in the second half and completed the team’s biggest comeback since November 2012.
Paul George scored 22 points and James Harden had 12 for the Clippers, who have lost back-to-back games for only the second time since Christmas. George and Leonard returned after jumping Clippers home defeat against Milwaukee in the club’s second home game in 10 p.m. last Sunday, although Leonard didn’t last long.
Alexander-Walker made five 3-pointers in his best performance in a Minnesota uniform as the Timberwolves improved to 2-2 on their six-game road trip.
Although Karl-Anthony Towns is out with a knee injury that may sideline him until the playoffs, Gobert returns from a one-game absence with a hamstring injury right. Gobert then apparently injured his ribs or sternum at some point in the second half, heading to the locker room in obvious pain.
Kyle Anderson had 10 points and seven assists in his return to the Wolves’ starting lineup after an absence due to right shoulder soreness, but guard Monte Morris missed his third straight game due to injury. a left hamstring strain.
Minnesota committed six turnovers while falling behind by 15 points in the first quarter, and Los Angeles’ lead grew to 57-35 midway through the second before the Wolves went on a 20-2 run shortly before the half-time. The Wolves took their first lead early in the third quarter and the Clippers managed just 15 points with nine turnovers in the period.
Towns underwent surgery on the torn meniscus in his left knee and the Timberwolves won’t evaluate him for four weeks. It seems likely he will miss the remainder of the regular season, but coach Chris Finch said Towns’ absence for much of last season due to a calf injury prepared Minnesota for his current absence.
“Everyone goes through a tough time at some point (because of injuries),” Finch said. “We get it now.”
FOLLOWING
Timberwolves: at Utah on Saturday.
Clippers: At Chicago on Thursday.
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