On a chilly Thursday night at the Intuit Dome, the Los Angeles Clippers faced off against the surging Minnesota Timberwolves in a matchup that had NBA fans buzzing with anticipation. The February 26, 2026, clash was more than just another game on the schedule—it was a litmus test for two teams heading in decidedly different directions as the regular season entered its final stretch.
The Clippers, sitting at 27-30, have ridden a rollercoaster all season long. After a rocky opening, they caught fire for a stretch that had some fans dreaming big—only for the front office to hit the reset button at the trade deadline. Out went James Harden and Ivica Zubac, two pillars of the roster, and in came Darius Garland, Bennedict Mathurin, and a haul of draft picks. The move signaled that management wasn’t convinced this team could contend for a title this year, even as the Western Conference remained wide open.
Since those trades, the Clippers’ fortunes have been mixed. Mathurin, the young swingman, made an immediate impression, notching at least 21 points in three straight games prior to Thursday’s contest. However, Garland, acquired with high hopes, has yet to make his debut due to a stubborn toe injury, leaving fans wondering when they’ll see the new-look backcourt in full force. To make matters worse, star forward Kawhi Leonard—enjoying a career-best 28 points per game—was ruled out with an ankle injury, joining Garland, John Collins (head), and Bradley Beal (hip, out for the season) on a lengthy Clippers injury report.
Despite the setbacks, the Clippers entered the night with memories of their recent triumph over these very Timberwolves. Back on February 8, Los Angeles routed Minnesota 115-96, with Leonard exploding for 41 points. But this rematch had a different feel from the opening tip. The Timberwolves, now 36-23 and boasting the ninth-best net rating in the NBA, were riding a hot streak—winners of four of their last five games—and appeared determined to exact revenge for that lopsided defeat.
“This was notably with Harden and Zubac traded, but Mathurin yet to join the club and Leonard went off for 41 points that night,” noted Alex Hunter in his game preview. “However, this did feel like a random, bad day for the Timberwolves and in order for Los Angeles to pick up another win in this matchup, Leonard will need to have another huge effort tonight.”
Unfortunately for the Clippers, Leonard’s absence loomed large. Without their two-time NBA Finals MVP, Los Angeles was forced to lean even more heavily on Mathurin and a patchwork supporting cast. The odds reflected the challenge ahead: Minnesota came in as 8.5-point favorites on most sportsbooks, with a moneyline of -300, while the Clippers were listed as +240 underdogs. The total for the game hovered between 220.5 and 225.5 points, underscoring expectations for a high-scoring affair.
Both teams’ statistical profiles painted a clear picture of the matchup. The Timberwolves’ offense, led by Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle, was humming at 119.6 points per game—seven more than the 112.6 points per game the Clippers typically allow. Edwards, averaging a blistering 29.6 points per game, and Randle, not far behind at 21.9, have become one of the league’s most dynamic duos. On the other end, four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert anchored Minnesota’s defense, helping the team rank in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive rating.
The Clippers, by contrast, averaged 112.1 points per game, a respectable mark but three shy of the 115.1 points the Timberwolves surrender to opponents. With Leonard sidelined, the offensive burden fell squarely on Mathurin and the remaining healthy pieces. The Clippers’ record as underdogs—18-11 against the spread—offered a glimmer of hope for those expecting a competitive game, especially on their home floor. Yet, the Timberwolves’ superior depth and chemistry were hard to ignore.
Injury woes have been a recurring theme for Los Angeles all season. Garland’s toe, Collins’ head, and Beal’s hip have all contributed to a depleted rotation, and the absence of Leonard on Thursday was a gut punch. The Timberwolves, by contrast, entered the contest with a clean bill of health, a luxury at this stage of the season.
“At this point of the season, the Timberwolves are the clear better team over the Clippers and Minnesota should get the win tonight,” Hunter predicted before tipoff. “That being said, Los Angeles shouldn’t go down easy and Minnesota covering this 5.5-point spread could [be] difficult, especially given its track record this season.” The Timberwolves have struggled against the spread, going just 25-34 overall and 12-16 on the road, which left some bettors wary of a blowout.
As the game unfolded, fans tuned in on Amazon Prime Video and FDSNX, eager to see if the Clippers could defy the odds or if Minnesota’s high-powered attack would prove too much. The Intuit Dome crowd did its best to energize the home team, but without their leader, the Clippers faced an uphill battle from the outset.
For the Timberwolves, the matchup was an opportunity to solidify their status as legitimate contenders in the West. Edwards and Randle continued to impress, while Gobert’s presence in the paint stymied Clippers drives and forced tough shots. Minnesota’s balanced attack and defensive discipline were on full display, and with no major injuries to report, the team looked poised to make a deep playoff push.
The Clippers, meanwhile, were left searching for answers. The recent trades signaled a shift toward the future, and while Mathurin’s emergence has been a bright spot, the absence of Garland, Collins, and especially Leonard underscored the challenges facing this squad. Still, the team’s resilience can’t be discounted—they’ve shown a knack for keeping games close and surprising opponents when least expected.
As the night wore on, the scoreboard told the story of two teams at different junctures: one building momentum for the postseason, the other regrouping and hoping for better health and chemistry down the stretch. The outcome of this game may well shape the narrative for both franchises as the NBA regular season barrels toward its dramatic conclusion.
With the Timberwolves healthy and firing on all cylinders, and the Clippers fighting through adversity, Thursday’s clash at Intuit Dome served as a snapshot of the NBA’s ever-changing landscape. Fans will be watching closely to see how both teams respond in the weeks ahead, as playoff hopes and future plans hang in the balance.