Timberwolves Snap Losing Streak with Thrilling Comeback Win Over Clippers
The Minnesota Timberwolves broke their three-game losing streak in spectacular fashion, mounting an impressive comeback to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers.
The game started ominously for the Wolves as it followed an all-too-familiar pattern: the Wolves were down by 11 at the end of the first quarter and trailed behind by as many as 19 points in the second. The energy in Target Center was completely non-existent, and it probably isn’t too dramatic to say that it felt as though the fate of the season hung in the balance.
But a bench-infused lineup that included Naz Reid and Mike Conley, the latter of whom was coming off the bench for the first time in a Timberwolves uniform, led an extended run to pull the Wolves to within shouting distance at halftime.
Conley turned back the clock, draining a pair of threes and even sinking a floater – a shot that had eluded him in recent weeks - as part of the run.
The game remained tight throughout the second half, with both teams trading leads. In the end, it was Anthony Edwards who sealed the deal for Minnesota. Edwards took over in the closing minutes on both ends of the floor, effectively sealing the game with a pair of impossible stepback threes, boosting his point total to 37 on the heels of his 53-point performance in Saturday’s loss to Detroit.
Lineup Change Pay Dividends for the Timberwolves
With Conley coming off the bench, Donte DiVincenzo got the starting nod. While the change didn’t yield immediate results early in the first quarter, it ultimately proved beneficial for both players in this one.
In playing alongside primarily bench players, Conley found himself with more opportunities to handle the ball and initiate the offense, in contrast to playing alongside both Edwards and Julius Randle. This adjustment allowed him to play to his strengths and contributed to his strong performance in the crucial second-quarter run.
DiVincenzo, meanwhile, was able to play off the ball more effectively with the starters. This role suits his skill set better, allowing him to capitalize on catch-and-shoot opportunities and make timely cuts to the basket.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Timberwolves’ thrilling win over the Clippers, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
• Detailed breakdown of Anthony Edwards’ 37-point performance
• Chris Finch’s effective late-game rotations and substitutions
• The impact of Naz Reid’s strong play off the bench
