For the second-consecutive game, Andrew Wiggins stepped up when the Wolves
needed him to.
The Wolves came away with a 126-118 road win over the Clippers in Los Angeles on
Monday night, despite not having Jimmy Butler (knee) or Jamal Crawford (toe).
While it’s generally a good thing to have those two on the court for the Wolves,
Wiggins made sure the Wolves didn’t miss a beat, putting up a 40 spot on the
Clippers, his sixth 40th-point game of his career and first of the season.
Minnesota hopes Butler isn’t out for long, but it’s an opportunity for Wiggins
to get some confidence and grow a bit.
Blake Griffin finished with 32 points, 12 assists and 12 rebounds to lead Los
Angeles, but had two costly turnovers (a double dribble and an errant pass) that
ended the Clippers’ chance of a comeback.
Jeff Teague was solid for the Wolves, finishing with 30 points and six assists
while shooting 16-for-17 from the free-throw line. Nemanja Bjelica started for
Butler and finished with 18 points and nine rebounds. Taj Gibson added 14
points, six rebounds and four steals, while Karl-Anthony Towns rounded things
out with 11 points and 17 rebounds.
Montrezl Harrell led the Clippers’ bench with 23 points and six rebounds.
All-Star hopeful Lou Williams added 20 points and seven assists. Rookie point
guard Milos Teodosic finished with 15 points and six assists.
The win moves Minnesota to 31-18 and in sole possession of third place in the
West and four games back from the Rockets for the No. 2 seed.
The Clippers fall to 23-23, ninth in the West.
Highlight of the Night
With 4:50 left in the second quarter, Gibson found Wiggins on a back-door cut
and Wiggins threw it down. Great finish by Wiggins, but pretty incredible vision
from Gibson to find him.
Andrew takes the secret tunnel all the way to the rim!
pic.twitter.com/mK7sSf6LAR
Numbers Game
Player of the Game
Easily Wiggins. His 40 points was impressive, but he was efficient doing it,
shooting 16-for-28 from the field and 3-for-7 from the 3-point line. He also
added six rebounds, one assist and one block.
Have a game, Andrew. pic.twitter.com/Rn2Mzbojqz
In his last two games with Butler out, Wiggins is averaging 34.5 points and 5.5
rebounds while shooting 55.1 percent from the field.
“It was amazing,” Towns said about Wiggins after the game. “I don’t know if I
put voodoo on him, but I told him he was going to get 40 tonight. So, he made me
look good. I am happy for him, he was out there playing spirited basketball and
was playing at a high level all night. It seemed like we were out there in
Staples Center watching a young Kobe tonight.”
Up Next
The Wolves stay on the West Coast and play the Trail Blazers in Portland on
Wednesday night. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. on Fox Sports North and 830 WCCO.
Player: Jimmy Butler
Player: Jamal Crawford
Player: Taj Gibson
Player: Jeff Teague
Player: Karl-Anthony Towns
Player: Andrew Wiggins
Player: Blake Griffin
Player: Montrezl Harrell
Player: Milos Teodosic
Player: Lou Williams
Media Content: http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/wiggins-nets-40-w-over-clippers
Media Keywords: NBA, Sports, Minnesota Timberwolves, Jimmy Butler, Jamal
Crawford, Taj Gibson, Jeff Teague, Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Blake
Griffin, Montrezl Harrell, Milos Teodosic, Lou Williams, LA Clippers, Minnesota
Timberwolves
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