On February 26, 2026, the Minnesota Timberwolves secured a hard-fought 94-88 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers at Inglewood, California's Crypto.com Arena. The game was a showcase of the Timberwolves' recent surge in form, with Anthony Edwards leading the charge. Edwards, who was returning to the site of the All-Star game where he was named MVP, showcased his scoring prowess, finishing with 31 points on 12-of-24 shooting. His clutch step-back 3-pointer with 42.9 seconds left sealed the deal, giving Minnesota a 92-88 lead and the win.
The Timberwolves' success was a team effort, with Donte DiVincenzo chipping in 18 points and Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmu each contributing 12 points. Rudy Gobert's defensive presence was also crucial, pulling down 13 rebounds. This win marked a significant improvement for Minnesota, who have now won 5 of their last 6 games and 3 of their 4 since the All-Star break. They are now 2-0 on a three-game road trip, solidifying their position as a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference.
On the other hand, the Clippers struggled without their star player, Kawhi Leonard, who was sidelined with an ankle injury. Los Angeles' offense was stifled, managing just 38 points in the first half, their lowest output of the season. Despite Derrick Jones Jr.'s 18 points and Bennedict Mathurin's 14, the Clippers couldn't overcome the early deficit. They have now lost three consecutive games for the first time since December, highlighting the challenges they face without their key player.
The game also saw the Timberwolves struggle in the second quarter, scoring just 15 points, but still managing to top the Clippers' 11 points in the period. Minnesota's strong performance in the first half, with DiVincenzo and Edwards combining for 23 points, set the tone for the rest of the game. The Clippers led by six points in the third quarter, but the Timberwolves rallied back, with Edwards' drive and reverse layup giving them a 76-74 lead with 7:40 remaining. The final score of 94-88 was a testament to the Timberwolves' resilience and the Clippers' struggles without their star power.
Looking ahead, the Timberwolves will continue their road trip, facing the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. The Clippers, meanwhile, will host the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night, looking to bounce back from their recent losses. This game was a clear demonstration of the Timberwolves' current form and the challenges the Clippers face without their star player. It will be interesting to see how both teams respond to these recent developments and how the season unfolds from here.
