Anthony Edwards led the Minnesota Timberwolves with 21 points on 7-for-21 shooting as they narrowly escaped with a 93-92 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in an NBA Cup matchup on Friday night.
The win snapped a four-game losing streak for Minnesota and provided a much-needed confidence boost after recent struggles.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributed a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Julius Randle added 11 points and 10 rebounds. Despite turning the ball over 22 times and squandering an 11-point lead, the Timberwolves managed to hold off a late surge from the Clippers.
James Harden paced the Clippers with 20 points and 11 assists, delivering several clutch moments, including a four-point play that gave Los Angeles its first lead of the game at 90-87 with 4:10 remaining. Ivica Zubac also played a strong game for the Clippers, finishing with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Kevin Porter Jr., who added 17 points and seven rebounds for Los Angeles, suffered a critical setback late in the game. With 1:29 remaining, Porter rolled his left ankle on a drive to the basket, losing the ball out of bounds while the Clippers trailed by three points. His absence in the closing moments left the Clippers struggling to regain their rhythm.
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The Timberwolves’ decisive moment came when Edwards knocked down a pull-up 3-pointer with 2:24 left, reclaiming a 92-90 lead that Minnesota never relinquished. Meanwhile, the Clippers managed just one field goal—a layup by Zubac—over the final four minutes of the contest, a stretch that sealed their fate.
Minnesota’s victory moved them to 2-2 in West Group A, though their hopes of advancing to the NBA Cup quarterfinals remain slim. The Clippers, now 1-2 with one group stage game left, face even longer odds of progressing in the tournament.
For the Clippers, injuries to key players have continued to weigh heavily on their season. With Kawhi Leonard still sidelined and Norman Powell missing his sixth consecutive game, Los Angeles has struggled to find consistency in the highly competitive Western Conference.
The Timberwolves, despite securing the win, displayed some familiar flaws that have plagued them since last season’s deep playoff run. Their 11-point second-quarter lead evaporated as the team fell into an offensive rut and struggled with defensive intensity. Early in the second half, three straight turnovers allowed the Clippers to tie the game, underscoring the Timberwolves’ need for greater focus in critical moments.
Edwards’ ability to step up late in the game provided a glimmer of hope for Minnesota, but the team will need to address its turnover issues and lapses in execution to build momentum. Alexander-Walker and Randle’s contributions were also key, giving the Timberwolves the depth they needed to overcome their offensive struggles.
For the Clippers, Harden’s steady performance and Zubac’s interior dominance were bright spots in an otherwise frustrating game. Porter’s late-game injury adds another layer of uncertainty as Los Angeles looks to regroup ahead of their next matchup.
The Timberwolves now turn their focus to hosting the Lakers on Monday, a game that could further test their resilience. Meanwhile, the Clippers will face the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, hoping to bounce back and salvage some momentum in the midst of a challenging stretch.
Minnesota’s victory may not have guaranteed them a spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, but it provided a crucial step toward regaining their confidence. For both teams, the lessons learned from this tightly contested game could play a pivotal role as the season progresses.
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