Key Takeaways:
- Kawhi Leonard scored 41 points and secured eight rebounds as the Los Angeles Clippers triumphed 115-96 against the Minnesota Timberwolves
- The Timberwolves have now dropped three of their last four games, each defeat coming at the hands of teams with sub-.500 records
- New Timberwolves signing Ayo Dosunmu registered 11 points and two steals in his debut after his recent move from Chicago
Match Analysis
The Los Angeles Clippers produced a commanding performance in Minneapolis on Sunday, defeating the faltering Minnesota Timberwolves 115-96. Kawhi Leonard spearheaded the Clippers with an outstanding 41-point display, adding eight rebounds for good measure.
Momentum shifted firmly in Los Angeles’ favour late in the third quarter, with the Clippers piecing together a decisive 17-3 sequence that effectively placed the contest out of reach. John Collins impressed with 15 points, converting six of his nine field goal attempts, while Yanic Konan Niederhauser matched his tally with a further 15 points.
CLIPPERS WIN!!! pic.twitter.com/DMn4He3Yff
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) February 8, 2026
Timberwolves’ Struggles Continue
Anthony Edwards emerged as Minnesota’s leading scorer with 23 points, closely followed by Julius Randle with 17. The Timberwolves, having now suffered three defeats out of their last four fixtures – all against opponents with losing records – continued their struggles on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Minnesota converted only 8 of their 33 attempts from beyond the arc while handing over possession 20 times. This marked just the second occasion this season in which they were restricted to under 100 points.
Ayo Dosunmu, making his Timberwolves debut following a trade deal with the Chicago Bulls, contributed 11 points and added two steals to his night’s work.
The loss follows another low point for Minnesota, as they had previously squandered an 18-point third-quarter advantage in a defeat to the New Orleans Pelicans at home.
First Half Breakdown
The hosts were unable to shake off their recent woes early on. Leonard notched 24 points before the interval and helped to drive the Clippers on an 18-2 burst late in the second quarter, which handed Los Angeles a 54-42 half-time edge.
Minnesota’s first-half shooting woes were exacerbated by converting only 3 of 18 attempts from three-point range and committing 13 turnovers. Edwards experienced a difficult stretch, going 0-for-6 from distance and leading the team with four first-half turnovers.
| Team | Points | Top Scorer | Team 3P Made-Attempted | Team Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Clippers | 115 | Kawhi Leonard (41) | 14/27 | 13 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 96 | Anthony Edwards (23) | 8/33 | 20 |
Roster Updates and Upcoming Fixtures
The Clippers were short-handed, missing both of their key trade deadline arrivals. Darius Garland, acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of the James Harden trade, remained unavailable due to a sprained big toe on his right foot. Los Angeles has already indicated that Bennedict Mathurin, who was obtained via a deal with the Indiana Pacers, is scheduled to make his first appearance for the club on Tuesday in Houston.
Looking ahead, the Clippers will travel to take on the Houston Rockets on Tuesday evening, while the Timberwolves will look to rebound as they host the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night.
