Clippers lose Kawhi Leonard, watch Wolves storm back for win
Mar 12, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) controls the ball against Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. credits: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports Anthony Edwards scored 37 points, Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 28 and the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves ended a two-game skid on Tuesday by rallying for a 118-100 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, who lost Kawhi Leonard after one quarter.
Mike Conley scored 23 points, Rudy Gobert added 11 rebounds and Kyle Anderson had 10 points as the Timberwolves improved to 2-2 since Karl-Anthony Towns went down with a knee injury. Towns underwent surgery earlier Tuesday and will be re-evaluated in four weeks.
Paul George scored 22 points and James Harden added 12 for the Clippers, who have lost consecutive games to the Milwaukee Bucks and Timberwolves.
Norman Powell scored 11 points and Ivica Zubac added 10 points to along with eight rebounds for Los Angeles, which lost Leonard after one quarter because of back spasms. Leonard played all 12 minutes of the first period and had six points as the Clippers took a 34-21 lead.
Los Angeles pushed its advantage to as many as 22 points in the second quarter, but without Leonard's defensive presence, the Timberwolves went on a 20-2 run before halftime to pull within four. Minnesota trailed 63-55 at the break.
It was more of the same in the third quarter, as Minnesota went on a 10-0 run early in the period to take a 69-68 lead. The Timberwolves closed the third on a 15-4 run to take an 84-78 lead into the fourth quarter.
A running jumper from Conley gave Minnesota a 93-83 lead with 9:42 to play shortly before Gobert departed while holding his left rib cage. He did not return.
A Conley 3-pointer with 6:16 to play gave the Timberwolves a 104-90 advantage, and his layup with 4:37 left had Minnesota up 111-94.
Conley scored 12 points in the fourth quarter and went 5 of 8 from 3-point range in the game. Walker went 5-for-6 from 3-point range as part of a 9-for-10 performance from the floor.
The Timberwolves avenged an 89-88 home loss to the Clippers on March 3 and won the season series 3-1.
—Field Level Media
Why The Darryn Peterson Backlash Has Gone Too Far
Three Best College Basketball Bets For Feb. 25th's Slate
10 NFL Combine Sleepers Ready to Boost Their Draft Stock
Three Best NBA Bets for Tuesday Feb 24th's Slate
WWE Elimination Chamber Breakdown: Who Survives the Chamber?
The Next Miracle? How USA Men's Hockey Team Defeated Canada
PGA Tour Stars Heating Up as Florida Swing Approaches
- Monday College Basketball Betting Picks for Houston-Kansas and Louisville-UNC
- Olympic Hockey Gold Medal Betting Picks: USA vs. Canada Predictions
- Three MLB Futures Picks to Beat Los Angeles Dodgers in 2026
- UFC Houston Predictions: Strickland vs. Hernandez Betting Picks
- Friday NBA Odds & Best Bets: Feb. 20th Top Basketball Betting Picks
- MLB AL West Future Betting Picks: Totals, Pennant Winner, and More
- College Basketball Thursday Picks: Feb 19th Best Betting Predictions

