The Los Angeles Clippers suffered a crushing defeat on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves, blowing a 19-point lead to lose 108-106. This game, emblematic of the Clippers’ struggles to find consistency, highlighted concerns about rotations, defensive adjustments, and second-unit scoring.
Head coach Tyronn Lue addressed the issues candidly postgame. “The rotations aren’t ideal right now,” Lue admitted. He also emphasized the importance of playing the right way, suggesting that decision-making under pressure remains a challenge for the team. “The game decides who gets to take shots, and playing the right way is what’s best. That could be our problem.”
Kawhi Leonard, who recently returned from injury, was a focal point of the game. Despite the loss, Lue expressed optimism about Leonard’s performance. “Just having him on the floor was huge for us,” he said. “Kawhi felt good after the game and just needs to get the coverages down. I feel he’ll get back to himself soon.” However, Lue acknowledged that integrating Leonard back into the lineup has complicated their rotations, a process he called the team’s “biggest thing to figure out right now.”
Anthony Edwards spearheaded the Timberwolves’ comeback with a stellar 37-point performance. The Clippers struggled to contain him, particularly in the second half, and Lue conceded that the team’s defensive adjustments came too late. “We had a late fire to try and stop Anthony Edwards,” Lue remarked, reflecting on the missed opportunities to limit Edwards earlier in the game.
Offensive production from the Clippers’ second unit was another glaring issue. Before the game, Lue expressed concern about bench scoring, and those fears were realized. The five reserves combined for just five field goals and made only two three-pointers. This lack of contribution put immense pressure on the starters to carry the load.
James Harden, who narrowly missed a triple-double with 22 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, acknowledged the challenges of reintegrating Leonard. “Kawhi looked good, so just give him time,” Harden said. Reflecting on the loss, he added, “Losing is a part of basketball, and we have to find ways to get better.”
Harden also praised Edwards for his leadership on the court. “Obviously, he scored the ball at the highest level, but he gets his teammates shots. Tonight, I saw a different energy from him,” Harden remarked.
For the Clippers, this defeat underscores the urgency to solidify rotations and bolster bench contributions as they look to find rhythm in the season. While there were flashes of promise, particularly with Leonard’s presence, the team need to figure out the rotations quickly. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves continue to solidify their reputation as a resilient and dangerous team, with Edwards leading the charge.
