The Minnesota Timberwolves are already playing without Karl-Anthony Towns who should be back in early January. Tonight they had to play without their point guard D’Angelo Russell who’s been listed as (day to day) with a left knee contusion. Minnesota started Austin Rivers in his place tonight as they were looking for someone that can facilitate the offense to keep it running at a high pace. It didn’t work out as planned tonight as the Timberwolves struggled from the field against the Clippers but they showed a lot of grit/grind. Anthony Edwards was tested tonight as he was being guarded by Kawhi Leonard and Paul George during the game. In true Anthony Edwards fashion, he didn’t back down from the challenge he embraced it.

Edwards was the leading scorer for the Timberwolves tonight with 19 points, 3 assists, and 7 rebounds on 6/14 shooting from the field. It was a tough outing overall for the Timberwolves as they put out their lowest-scoring total of the season against the Clippers. Kyle Anderson and Jaylen Nowell both put up 13 points but the starters didn’t really get the chance to get involved as the Clippers team’s defense was a little too much to handle especially with D’Angelo Russell. It was tough for the Timberwolves to get a rhythm especially when your point guard isn’t there and you’re missing his clutch shot-making ability down the stretch. The Timberwolves got beat on the 3-point line tonight as that was the tale of the game the Clippers hit 14 3-pointers compared to their 4 3-pointers in the game. When it’s that lopsided in the 3-point department it’s going to be a tough night for any team in the NBA.

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George didn’t erupt for many points but both made a huge impact on the defensive end. Both of the LA Clippers stars combined for 36 points, 12 assists, and 19 rebounds with the majority of it coming from Paul George. Tonight PG-13 had a triple-double and was able to get his teammates in the right spots and he was able to defend Anthony Edwards at a high level. Both these teams will be squaring off again in early January as the Timberwolves will hope to be back at full health by getting Towns/Russell back for that game. The Clippers were at full strength tonight and were able to make the Timberwolves pay on every defensive mistake they had which wasn’t much. But it seemed as though the Clippers made every bucket off a turnover and made it a point to continue to attack the basket when the opportunity presented itself. Rudy Gobert finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds on the night as the Timberwolves missed out on some easy baskets in the paint with Rudy.

This team’s still learning and they were missing key pieces but when they figure it out as a whole they will be a problem for any team. Next up the Timberwolves will look to get back in the win column as they face the OKC Thunder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

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