MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kawhi Leonard had 32 points and the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 89-88 on Sunday in a physical and defensive game between two of the Western Conference's top four teams.
Norman Powell scored a season-high 24 points and Paul George added 15 points, but shot just 5 of 16 from the field and was 3 of 11 from 3-point range.
The Clippers were playing without Russell Westbrook after he broke his left hand in a home win over Washington on Friday night. Ivica Zubac returned after missing two games due to illness.
Anthony Edwards scored 27 points for Minnesota. The Timberwolves have lost two games in a row for just the third time this season.
Leonard broke an 84-all tie with a layup with 2:01 left and added a free throw after he was fouled by Karl-Anthony Towns.
Towns' dunk with 1:40 left brought Minnesota within a point, but Anthony Edwards missed a 3 and Towns missed with a jump shot before Leonard ended the game with two free throws.
The Timberwolves, who started the day one game ahead of Oklahoma City in the West, had won four games in a row against Los Angeles, including the first two games of the season.
Towns had 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Rudy Gobert added 12 points and 16 rebounds.
Minnesota shot 38.8% and had 15 turnovers, giving the Clippers 20 points. Los Angeles shot 37.6% but recorded just nine turnovers, including six in the final three quarters.
NEXT
Clippers: At Milwaukee on Monday night.
Timberwolves: Host Portland on Monday night.
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