Tyronn Lue said the Los Angeles Clippers established their identity through defense and quick decision-making in a 115-96 road win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday at Target Center. “Yeah, direction. Like you said, play hard and win. That’s the only direction we can go,” Lue said after his team moved to 25-27 in the Western Conference race.
Kawhi Leonard led the visitors with 41 points and eight rebounds, while John Collins and rookie Yanic Konan Niederhauser added 15 points each as Los Angeles closed the third quarter on a decisive 17-3 run. Minnesota, which has lost three of its last four games, shot just 8-of-33 from three-point range and committed 20 turnovers.
Lue pointed to the defensive approach against Anthony Edwards as the foundation of the victory. “Just with our defensive mindset, I thought KD and DJ were phenomenal… taking responsibility of having to guard Anthony Edwards… try to keep them off balance by blitzing a little bit because Ant-Man can score at all levels,” he said.
The coach highlighted Leonard’s early activity on the ball and the collective execution that limited Minnesota to 96 points. “Defensively, they really set the tone and then offensively we shared the ball, made quick decisions, and made the right play,” Lue said.
Leonard scored 24 points in the first half, including a late 18-2 run that created separation before halftime. Lue explained how spacing helped the star forward find rhythm: “He was able to turn the corner, get to his spots… once he gets to a spot, you know, he’s hard to guard.”
Young guard Kobe Sanders also earned praise after hitting timely threes during a third-quarter stretch when the Timberwolves briefly cut into the lead. “Kobe Sanders came in third quarter, hit some very timely threes… I thought it was good for him… Kobe being able to play off the ball, I thought was really beneficial to him,” Lue said.
The Clippers adjusted rotations due to a lack of traditional point guards while Darius Garland remains sidelined with a sprained toe. “Getting KD out early and then getting KD back so we could initiate the offense… allowed Jordan to be off the ball,” Lue said.
Brook Lopez finished with modest numbers but provided rim protection, a detail Lue emphasized when evaluating the team’s defensive structure. “Very impactful, especially on the defensive end… what he does at the rim is is huge for us,” he said.
Collins’ efficient 6-of-9 shooting night reflected his evolving role since Leonard’s return from injury earlier in the season. “He puts work in every single day… all the work he’s put in is is paying off for him right now,” Lue said.
Los Angeles, currently ninth in the West, continues to integrate pieces following multiple trade-deadline moves that reshaped the roster and backcourt responsibilities. “It was a total team win… everybody contributed,” Lue said.
The Clippers travel to Houston on Tuesday, while the Timberwolves return home Monday against Atlanta as they look to halt a slide that has tightened the middle of the conference standings.
