MINNEAPOLIS — In a crucial NBA Cup matchup on Friday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves snapped their four-game losing streak by narrowly defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 93-92. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 21 points, converting 7 of his 21 attempts from the field.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Julius Randle also contributed 11 points and 10 rebounds. Despite facing a challenging game characterized by 22 turnovers and another instance of almost squandering a double-digit lead, the Timberwolves managed to secure the win.
For the Clippers, James Harden showcased a strong performance with 20 points and 11 assists, while Ivica Zubac added 16 points and 13 rebounds. The Clippers momentarily took the lead at 90-87 in the crucial moments of the game following Harden’s impressive four-point play, marking their first lead since a score of 27-26 early in the contest.
However, the Clippers faced difficulties as Kevin Porter Jr. suffered a left ankle injury while driving to the basket with 1:29 left in the game, contributing to the team’s struggles, as they trailed by three points at that moment.
The Timberwolves concluded their group stage in West Group A with a 2-2 record, while the Clippers found themselves at 1-2 with an upcoming game remaining in the series. Both teams are facing a tough road ahead to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the in-season tournament.
A pivotal moment in the game came when Edwards drilled a pull-up 3-pointer with 2:24 left, which gave the Timberwolves a narrow 92-90 advantage.
Looking at the game’s statistics, the Clippers were limited to just one basket in the remaining four minutes, with that only being a layup from Zubac.
Regarding notable points, the Clippers have been managing through roster challenges, especially with star player Kawhi Leonard (knee) yet to see action this season and starter Norman Powell (hamstring) missing his sixth consecutive game. This has made for tough competition in the Western Conference.
As for the Timberwolves, their performance was marred by a second-quarter lead that slipped away amid a series of errors, which have plagued them since their run to the conference finals last season. The team struggled with defensive intensity and offensive flow, suffering three turnovers at the start of the second half that quickly led to a tie.
Next on the schedule, the Clippers will be hosting the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, while the Timberwolves will face off against the Los Angeles Lakers at home on Monday.