Timberwolves rout Clippers in Edwards absence
LaMelo Ball scored a career-high 24 points as Minnesota secured its first victory since Anthony Edwards underwent knee surgery.
By Robert Marshall ·
Minnesota defeated Los Angeles 127-101 on Friday night in NBA Cup group play. The result marks the Timberwolves' first win since star Anthony Edwards missed time due to arthroscopic knee surgery.
LaMelo Ball led the scoring with a season-high 24 points. Jaden McDaniels contributed 23 points, 11-of-15 shooting, seven assists, and six rebounds. Bones Hyland added 19 points and eight assists from the bench.
The Timberwolves (4-2) overcame a 127-125 overtime loss at Cleveland on Monday. Edwards required the procedure after a wear-and-tear injury limited him to a career-low 61 games last season. The team also dropped an 119-114 decision to Golden State on Wednesday before finding their rhythm against Los Angeles.
Minnesota built the lead in the fourth quarter. Ball made three three-pointers during a 20-2 run that separated the teams. Each of the Timberwolves' four wins this season has come by a margin of more than 20 points.
Jaylen Clark played 17 minutes and recorded a plus-23 rating. He helped force five turnovers by Clippers guard Darius Garland, who scored 24 points on 10-of-22 shooting. Brook Lopez added 13 points and six rebounds off the bench for Los Angeles (1-4), which has lost four straight games.
The Clippers remain without Brandon Ingram and Max Strus due to foot injuries. Rookie Keaton Wagler finished with 12 points on 2-for-11 shooting and a minus-24 rating. Rui Hachimura returned to the starting lineup after missing one game with a quadriceps injury, scoring 12 points in 26 minutes.
