Browsing: Kobe Sanders
Minnesota got its first win without Anthony Edwards behind LaMelo Ball and Jaden McDaniels, using a 20-2 fourth-quarter run to drop the Clippers to 1-4 in their NBA Cup opener.
The rookie’s career night and a half-court buzzer-beater were the bright spots as the Clippers shot 26 of 74 and dropped their third straight game.
With Rui Hachimura out with left quad soreness, Tyronn Lue is starting Kobe Sanders against a Lakers team playing its second game in two nights.
The Clippers outshot Oklahoma City and got within 97-96 with three minutes left, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell closed it out. Kris Dunn had five steals; Jalen Williams left on a stretcher.
The Clippers shot 49 percent and 43 percent from three but lost the ball 26 times. Darius Garland scored 26 with nine turnovers, and Brook Lopez went 8-of-9 off the bench.
The Clippers never trailed: Darius Garland hit his first five shots, Kris Dunn started over Keaton Wagler, and the rookie still delivered 15, five and five off the bench.
Game day at Intuit Dome: Tyronn Lue on using Keaton Wagler on and off the ball, Isaiah Jackson’s three-point plans, the injury list and Darius Acuff Jr.’s Sacramento debut.
The Clippers open Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. PT against Sacramento with Isaiah Jackson at center, Kobe Sanders back and Brandon Ingram, Bradley Beal and Max Strus out.
The Clippers finalized Cameron Christie’s two-way deal, waived Blake Wesley, Nathan Mensah, Miye Oni and Jahmyl Telfort, and named Isaiah Jackson their Week 1 center.
Cameron Christie cleared waivers and agreed to a two-way deal with the Clippers, filling the last two-way spot before Monday’s roster deadline and Wednesday’s opener.