The entire premise of the Clippers as a contender and the biggest threat to the Nuggets starts with Kawhi Leonard – he is the two-time Finals MVP playing at an All-NBA and All-Defensive Team level this season.
That’s why it was concerning: After playing the entire first quarter, Leonard left the Clippers’ game against the Timberwolves due to back spasms, then left the arena itself.
“He’s been having back spasms for a few days,” Clippers coach Tyrone Lue said of Leonard’s back problems. “I didn’t know if he was going to be able to go this morning. He came shooting, got treatment, did what he had to do to try to get on the field today, but it didn’t relax for him.
Lue added that he didn’t know if Leonard would be able to join the Clippers on their upcoming road trip the rest of this week. The Clippers and Leonard himself have been cautious in coming back from injuries in the past, and with the Clippers a month away from the playoffs, they expect that trend to continue. It’s worth noting that James Harden discussed his shoulder and back issues after the game and added that he wasn’t sure if he would play in the next game.
None of that should stop Anthony Edwards from taking over the game, scoring 37 points and grabbing eight rebounds to help the short-handed Timberwolves earn a critical victory, 118-100.
The win keeps the Timberwolves in the mix for the No. 1 seed — Oklahoma City, Denver and Minnesota are all within a half-game of each other — and three games ahead of the top-seeded Clippers of series no. 4. Los Angeles appears to be heading into a 4/5 first round matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans.
