MINNEAPOLIS – – Kawhi Leonard scored 32 points as the Clippers knocked off the Minnesota Timberwolves 89-88 on Sunday in a game that was very reminiscent of 80s & 90s era basketball.
Norman Powell came up big off the bench matching his season-high with 25 points knocking down multiple buzzer beating shots in the first and third quarters. Paul George chipped in with 15 points though he struggled with his shot throughout the game.
“We just had to stay in it, stay with it,” George said. “Shots weren’t falling for both sides. I thought we just stayed in and played a full 48 minutes. We weren’t making shots. Only other thing we could have done is made it tough for them to make shots.”
James Harden shot 0 for 10 finishing with 4 points but had a game-high 10 assists.
Los Angeles was playing their first game without key reserve Russell Westbrook after he fractured his left hand in a home victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday night. Ivica Zubac returned after missing the past two games due to illness.
The Clippers ended their four game losing streak to Minnesota which included two losses this season.
The game came down to the wire with the Clippers making big time baskets and free throws.
Leonard broke an 84-all tie with a layup with 2:01 remaining and added a free throw after being fouled Karl-Anthony Towns.
After a Towns basket with 1:40 left to get in within one, Leonard knocked down a pair of free throws and the Timberwolves couldn’t knock down a three to even things.
Anthony Edwards scored a late layup but Minnesota couldn’t foul in time as the game clock expired.
“This was an old-school, 1985 game,” Los Angeles coach Tyronn Lue said. “But I loved the way we kept competing and kept guarding, defending.”
The Clippers are back at it Monday night as they travel to play the Milwaukee Bucks.
