Kawhi Leonard delivered one of his most efficient performances of the season Wednesday night, scoring 45 points as the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 153-128 at Intuit Dome.
The victory pushed Los Angeles above .500 at 33-32 and extended its surge to six wins in the last seven games, strengthening its hold on the eighth spot in the Western Conference.
Leonard shot 15-of-20 from the field, including 6-of-9 from three-point range, and finished 9-of-10 at the free-throw line while adding five rebounds and five assists. The Clippers also recorded their highest scoring output of the season, hitting 19-of-37 from beyond the arc.
Asked what fueled the offensive explosion, Leonard pointed to execution and pace.
“Made threes and I felt like got to the free throw line,” Leonard said. “Drawing two on the ball, kicking out, making the right plays. Obviously early on we got a lot of deflections getting us out in transition, getting easy dunks and layups. So that pretty much carried us over throughout the game.”
Los Angeles took control early behind Leonard, who scored 18 points in the first quarter. The Clippers led 38-27 after one period and extended the advantage to 74-65 at halftime with Leonard already at 28 points.
Newcomer Darius Garland added 21 points with five three-pointers, while Bennedict Mathurin contributed 22 points off the bench. Leonard praised Garland’s impact on the offensive flow.
“It was great,” Leonard said of playing alongside Garland. “The energy, fast-paced guy, makes baskets at all three levels. Drawing two or three guys to him, kicking out, getting assists. Competitive on the defensive end and he’s been great.”
Garland’s ability to create advantages helped open the floor for Los Angeles, which finished with 36 assists and shot 63% from the field.
Leonard also highlighted the defensive tone set by Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. at the start of the game.
“It’s been good,” Leonard said. “Those guys started the game off great for us tonight. Getting the deflections, especially Kris getting us out in transition early, always guarding the best player. They bring a lot of energy for us and they’re the head of the snake on that end of the floor.”
Minnesota, which dropped to 40-26 after its third straight loss, was led by Anthony Edwards’ 36 points and Naz Reid’s 18 off the bench.
Despite the Clippers’ climb in the standings after a 6-21 start, Leonard said the focus remains on steady improvement.
“We always been trying to contend for a spot,” Leonard said. “We still got a ways to go, a lot of games, and we going to keep working hard and trying to get better every night.”
Leonard also addressed his continued scoring production in his 14th NBA season.
“The man above me, just being able to play games,” Leonard said. “Had a good offseason, able to work. Just praising him, work ethic and believing. Just trying to get better in the game, not mattering about the outcome and either working on my shot, hand or pass, and just being aggressive and making mistakes.”
When asked about social media criticism circulating overseas, Leonard dismissed it quickly.
“I don’t think nothing of it,” he said. “I don’t care really. I don’t be on social media, so I don’t know. One ear and out the other for me.”
The Clippers will continue their homestand Friday against Chicago, while Minnesota travels to Golden State.
