Kawhi Leonard’s 45 points powered the Los Angeles Clippers to a 153-128 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Clippers, now above .500, secured their third straight win and sixth in seven games. Their record stands at 33-32 after a rocky 6-21 start.
The Clippers’ dominant performance marked their highest points total of the season. This victory follows their win against New York on Monday night, kicking off a five-game homestand.
Leonard Leads Clippers’ Offensive Explosion
Leonard’s impressive scoring display saw him go 15 of 20 from the field, including 6 of 9 from beyond the arc. He also made 9 of 10 free throws. As a team, Los Angeles shot well from three-point range, making 19 of 37 attempts.
Bennedict Mathurin contributed 22 points for Los Angeles. Darius Garland, a new addition to the Clippers, added 21 points, including five 3-pointers.
Timberwolves Fall Despite Edwards’ Effort
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 36 points, while Naz Reid added 18. Despite Edwards’ performance, the Timberwolves lost their third game in a row after a prior five-game winning streak. Their losing streak began with a defeat to the Lakers.
Minnesota’s loss sees them drop to sixth place in the Western Conference. However, they are only a half-game behind the third-place Lakers in a tight race.
Clippers Take Control in the First and Fourth
Leonard started strong, scoring 18 points in the first quarter to give Los Angeles a 38-27 lead. By halftime, he had 28 points, and the Clippers were ahead 74-65. He finished the third quarter with 39 points, with LA leading 109-98.
Los Angeles extended their lead in the fourth quarter, outscoring Minnesota 44-30.
Looking Ahead
The Timberwolves will play the Golden State on Friday night to continue their four-game trip. The Clippers are set to host Chicago on Friday night.