Clippers Overcome Timberwolves Loss, Defeat Warriors Heading into All-Star Break
Although the Clippers(36-17) suffered a devastating home loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves Monday night, the team was easily able to overcome the disappointing showing to take down the Golden State Warriors(26-26) by a score of 130-125. The impressive win included a 15-point comeback for the Clippers, and the win, though against one of the weaker teams in the West, is a sign of good things to come for Ty Lue’s squad.
Even though Stephen Curry torched the Clippers defense for 41 points, he yet again came short with the game on the line, missing an open layup with under two minutes remaining. Though Curry led his team in fourth-quarter points with 10, his +/- was a startling -15(according to the official National Basketball Association box score), the second-lowest in the quarter behind Andrew Wiggins. The loss, however, wasn’t an individual effort by Curry, as his teammate Klay Thompson ended the game earlier than it could have ended with an untimely, unencouraged foul on the Clippers with 39 seconds remaining in the game. Thompson struggled again from the field, scoring 12 points while shooting 4 for 14 from the floor.
Though the win was close, it proves one important point for the future of the Los Angeles Clippers- the team absolutely has the depth to run deep into the 2024 Playoffs. Even without one of their many stars Kawhi Leonard not playing in the game, the Clippers, with the assistance of Norman Powell, scoring 12 points off of four threes, still were able to claw to a victory in a difficult road environment.