MINNEAPOLIS – It was an absolute battle on the Wild West terrain as the Los Angeles Clippers took on the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road Sunday afternoon.
The Clippers got off to a rough start after the NBA All-Star break, and now it appears they’re back on track.
After a resounding victory against the Wizards at home on Friday, the winning streak continued after the Clippers finally picked up a victory against the now second-ranked Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center.
The Clippers trailed 32-18 in the first quarter before finishing the first half with a 49-46 lead, thanks in part to Kawhi Leonard’s 15 points as he continues his case for league MVP .
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter at Target Center on March 3, 2024. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
After missing the previous three games, big man Ivica Zubac was back in the lineup. However, the Clippers were without a future Hall of Fame Russell Westbrook for the foreseeable future after fracturing his left hand in Friday night’s game.
SUGGESTED: Russell Westbrook suffers broken hand in Clippers’ blowout win over Wizards
Throughout the game, Norman Powell was deadly from the three-point line, including a buzzer-beater to end the third quarter.
Leonard finished with 32 points and Powell finished with 24.
The Clippers won 89-88 and retained the fourth seed in the Western Conference.
Also on Sunday, the Clippers announced that Leonard had passed Lou Williams for sole possession of sixth place on the Clippers’ all-time three-pointers list.
With his 448th made three as a Clipper, Kawhi Leonard surpasses Lou Williams for sole possession of sixth place on the Clippers’ all-time three-point list, according to @LAClippers pic.twitter.com/dvocFzHwV3
–Kelli Johnson (@KelliJohnsonTV) March 3, 2024
It hasn’t been that long since these two teams met. It was a resounding defeat for Los Angeles and the Clippers beatwriter Justin Russo reported After the match, at least three players were heard laughing in the halls of Crypto.com Arena and were heard calling the Clips “old as hell.”
Minnesota leads 2-1 in the series and the two will face off again on Tuesday, March 12 in Los Angeles.
The Clippers face Milwaukee on Monday night.
This story was reported from Los Angeles.
