Timberwolves stop 4-game losing streak by fending off Clippers 93-92 in NBA Cup play
Clippers fumble late-game chance as T-Wolves snap losing streak
The Clippers fail to get an offensive possession in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter as the Timberwolves break their four-game losing skid.
MINNEAPOLIS -- — Anthony Edwards scored 21 points on 7-for-21 shooting to help the Minnesota Timberwolves stop a four-game losing streak by holding off the Los Angeles Clippers 93-92 in an NBA Cup game Friday night.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 12 points and 10 rebounds and Julius Randle added 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who overcame 22 turnovers and another blown double-digit lead.
James Harden had 20 points and 11 assists and Ivica Zubac added 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Clippers, who went ahead 90-87 with 4:10 left on Harden's four-point play for their first lead since 27-26.
Kevin Porter Jr., who had 17 points and seven rebounds for the Clippers, rolled his left ankle on a drive to the basket with 1:29 left as he lost the ball out of bounds with his team trailing by three.
The Timberwolves finished 2-2 in West Group A. The Clippers are 1-2 with one group stage game left. Both teams are long shots to reach the quarterfinals of the in-season tournament.
Edwards hit a pull-up 3-pointer with 2:24 to go for a 92-90 lead.
The Clippers made only one basket, a layup by Zubac, over the final four minutes.
Clippers: With star Kawhi Leonard (knee) yet to play this season and starter Norman Powell (hamstring) sidelined for a his sixth straight game, the Clippers have been hanging in there in the loaded West.
Timberwolves: The 11-point second-quarter lead evaporated in the type of funk that has troubled this team since reaching the conference finals last season, be it from a lack of intensity on defense, a stoppage of movement on offense, or both. With three straight turnovers to start the second half, the Timberwolves found themselves in a tie game soon after.
The Clippers host Denver Sunday. The Timberwolves host the Lakers on Monday.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Regular Season Series
MIN leads 1-0
Game Information
- Referees:
- Ed Malloy
- Tom Washington
- J.T. Orr
2024-25 Pacific Standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Phoenix | 14 | 11 | .560 | - | W2 |
Golden State | 14 | 11 | .560 | - | L2 |
LA Clippers | 15 | 12 | .556 | - | W1 |
LA Lakers | 14 | 12 | .538 | 0.5 | W1 |
Sacramento | 13 | 14 | .481 | 2 | L1 |
2024-25 Northwest Standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oklahoma City | 20 | 5 | .800 | - | W5 |
Denver | 14 | 10 | .583 | 5.5 | W3 |
Minnesota | 14 | 11 | .560 | 6 | W2 |
Portland | 8 | 18 | .308 | 12.5 | L6 |
Utah | 5 | 20 | .200 | 15 | L3 |