Tip-off: 8:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. CT)
Venue: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Emirates NBA Cup – West Group B
TV/Streaming: League Pass, local options (KARE/DAZN in Minnesota area; ClipperVision)
This is an NBA Cup group-stage matchup featuring two short-handed Western Conference teams. Minnesota hosts while dealing with the absence of star Anthony Edwards; the Clippers are even more depleted after a recent low-scoring loss.
Current Rosters (key active/rotation players)
Clippers: Darius Garland, Kris Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr., Gradey Dick, Isaiah Jackson, Brook Lopez, Kobe Sanders, Keaton Wagler, and depth options. Heavy reliance on Garland’s playmaking and Jones’ athleticism amid significant absences.
Timberwolves: LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert, Jonathan Kuminga, Ayo Dosunmu, Terrence Shannon Jr., Joan Beringer, Trey Lyles, Bones Hyland, and supporting cast. Ball and McDaniels shoulder increased creation and scoring loads without Edwards.
Injury Reports
Clippers:
Bradley Beal (knee) – Out
Brandon Ingram (Achilles/heel) – Out
Max Strus (foot/plantar fascia) – Out
Jordan Miller (shoulder/rotator cuff surgery) – Out
Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Lisfranc/foot) – Out
Rui Hachimura (quadriceps soreness) – Day-to-Day / Questionable
Timberwolves:
Anthony Edwards (right knee surgery/arthroscopy) – Out (expected return around mid-to-late December)
Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) – Out
Minnesota is missing its leading scorer and a key perimeter shooter/defender. The Clippers are missing multiple starters and rotation pieces, leaving them thin on scoring and size. Hachimura’s status is the main late variable for Los Angeles.
Recent Team Forms
Clippers (1-3): Sole win vs. Sacramento; losses include to Lakers (twice, most recently 103-87 with high turnovers) and at Oklahoma City. Averaging a low ~106.5 PPG while allowing ~108. Offense has struggled without key pieces; defense has been more competitive. Road form is 0-2.
Timberwolves (3-2): Wins include at Orlando and vs. Toronto; recent losses at Cleveland (OT) and vs. Golden State (119-114). Averaging ~120.4 PPG while allowing ~107.8. Strong rebounding (led by Gobert) and solid play from Ball, McDaniels, and Kuminga have kept them competitive despite Edwards’ absence. Home record 1-1.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Darius Garland / Kris Dunn vs. LaMelo Ball / Ayo Dosunmu: Primary creation and perimeter defense. Garland’s scoring/playmaking vs. Ball’s vision and size; Dunn’s defensive intensity is critical against Minnesota’s guards.
Derrick Jones Jr. / Gradey Dick / (Hachimura if available) vs. Jaden McDaniels / Jonathan Kuminga: Wing athleticism, defense, and secondary scoring. McDaniels’ two-way versatility and Kuminga’s athleticism pose challenges for the thinner Clippers wings.
Isaiah Jackson / Brook Lopez vs. Rudy Gobert / Joan Beringer: Interior size and rim protection. Gobert’s rebounding and defense vs. Lopez’s spacing/shooting and Jackson’s athleticism. Minnesota holds a clear advantage here.
Secondary: Shannon Jr./Dosunmu secondary scoring and defense vs. Clippers’ bench production; overall Wolves depth and physicality vs. Clippers’ limited rotation.
Minnesota’s size, rebounding, and home-court edge stand out against a depleted Clippers group.
Series History
Recent meetings have been competitive, with split results in prior seasons (e.g., high-scoring Clippers wins and lower-scoring Timberwolves victories). Minnesota has generally held home advantages in the series. No 2026-27 meetings yet prior to this contest.
Betting Trends
Minnesota favored due to home court and Clippers’ extensive injuries/poor offense. Public leans toward the home side. Models generally project a Wolves win by mid-to-high single digits; totals lean under in some projections given both teams’ current scoring limitations.
Projection sketch: Timberwolves win by 6–12 points in a ~114-106 range. Minnesota controls the glass and interior while Ball and McDaniels create enough offense; Clippers stay within reach via Garland and defense but lack the scoring depth for a sustained rally. Monitor Hachimura’s final status.
Game Odds
Los Angeles Clippers 223
Minnesota Timberwolves – 7
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, October 29, 2026
