Anthony Edwards Leads Stunning Comeback in Timberwolves’ 118-100 Victory Over Clippers
The Minnesota Timberwolves staged an impressive comeback to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 118-100 on Tuesday night, overcoming an early 22-point deficit and demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity.
goooooodnight, wolves fans. pic.twitter.com/jxXwfngI0T
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) December 5, 2024
Edwards Shines in Comeback
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with an electrifying performance, scoring 37 points to power the team’s largest comeback victory since November 2012. Alongside him, Nickeil Alexander-Walker delivered a season-high 28 points, including five three-pointers, while Mike Conley contributed 23 points with five triples of his own.
“It was no secret this was probably the biggest game of the season for us so far,” Conley said. “To steal this one today … hopefully sets us up for bigger and better things.”
Leonard’s Early Exit
The game took a dramatic turn when Clippers star Kawhi Leonard exited in the second quarter due to back spasms. Leonard, who played the entire first quarter, was seen leaving the arena and did not return. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue revealed Leonard had been dealing with back issues in recent days and struggled to loosen up for the game.
“They played tougher than we did, for sure,” Lue admitted. “When things don’t go right, we’ve got to get tougher.”
Rudy Gobert and Team Defense Spark Rally
The Timberwolves’ comeback was fueled by a renewed defensive intensity led by Rudy Gobert, who grabbed 11 rebounds and raised his defensive effort after the team fell behind. Gobert later left the game with a rib injury, and his status remains uncertain.
“This team believes in itself,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “When you play defense the way we’re able to … we can turn games around.”
Minnesota turned the tide with a 20-2 run before halftime and dominated the second half, outscoring the Clippers 63-39. The Timberwolves’ defense shined in the third quarter, forcing nine Clippers turnovers and holding them to just 15 points.
Clippers Struggle Without Leonard
The Clippers’ offense sputtered after Leonard’s exit. Paul George led Los Angeles with 22 points, and James Harden added 12, but it wasn’t enough to counter Minnesota’s momentum.
“We’ve got to get tougher,” Lue emphasized. “It’s not just about schemes—it’s about resilience.”
Timberwolves Overcome Key Absences
Despite being without Karl-Anthony Towns, who is sidelined following surgery on a torn meniscus, the Timberwolves showed depth and determination. Kyle Anderson returned to the lineup, contributing 10 points and seven assists, while the team adjusted to other injuries, including Monte Morris, who missed his third straight game.
What’s Next?
The Timberwolves, now 2-2 on their six-game road trip, look to maintain their momentum as they battle for playoff positioning. The Clippers, dealing with injuries and inconsistency, must regroup quickly to avoid a slide in the Western Conference standings.
