Tipoff is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET
Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California
TV: Prime Video | FanDuel Sports Network Northwest / FanDuel Sports Network SoCal (regional)
Radio: Wolves App / iHeart | AM 570 KLAC
Game Context
The Timberwolves are 16-12 on the road, 7-5 in the Northwest Division. They remain locked in the tight play-in/playoff race, just 1 game behind 4th-place Denver and 9 games behind the top seed. Minnesota emphasizes elite defense (top-5 defensive rating) and balanced scoring. The Clippers are 14-12 at home, 7-5 in the Pacific Division. They are clinging to the final play-in spot but have been inconsistent, especially with key absences, and sit 17 games back of the leaders.
Recent Team Forms (Last 10 Games)
Timberwolves: 6-4 (W1 streak).
Averaging 118.4 PPG while allowing 114.2 PPG. Recent results include a gritty 124-121 road win at Portland (Feb 24), a tough 108-135 home loss to Philadelphia (Feb 22), and solid wins over Dallas and Atlanta earlier in the stretch. They have won 4 of their last 5 road games and continue to excel in rebounding and paint protection.
Clippers: 5-5 (L2 streak).
Averaging 109.6 PPG while allowing 110.6 PPG. Recent results: narrow 109-111 home loss to Orlando (Feb 22), losses to Cleveland and Philadelphia, with a strong 117-93 win at Phoenix. Offensive efficiency has dipped sharply without full roster health.
Injury Report
Minnesota Timberwolves
- Jules Bernard (G) – Out (G League assignment)
- Enrique Freeman (F) – Out (G League assignment)
- Rocco Zikarsky (C) – Out (G League assignment)
No major rotation players are sidelined. Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley, and the core are all expected to play full minutes.
Los Angeles Clippers (significantly depleted)
- Out: Bradley Beal (SG – left hip fracture, out for season)
- Out: Darius Garland (PG – left toe, injury management)
- Questionable: Kawhi Leonard (SF – left ankle soreness)
- Questionable: John Collins (PF – head laceration / neck soreness)
The Clippers are without two key perimeter creators (Beal out for the year, Garland out) and face major uncertainty with their two biggest stars (Leonard and Collins). This severely limits spacing, playmaking, and two-way versatility.
Projected Starters & Key Player Matchups
Timberwolves (Projected): G Mike Conley, G Anthony Edwards (29.6 PPG, 3rd in NBA), F Julius Randle, F/C Naz Reid or frontcourt rotation, C Rudy Gobert
Clippers (Projected, pending questions): G (limited options without Garland), G James Harden (if active in rotation), F Kawhi Leonard (if active), F John Collins (if active), C Ivica Zubac or Brook Lopez
Key Matchups
- Anthony Edwards vs. Clippers perimeter (Harden / Leonard if plays): Edwards’ explosiveness and volume scoring should feast on a short-handed backcourt.
- Rudy Gobert vs. Clippers interior: Gobert dominates the glass and rim protection against a depleted frontcourt missing Collins’ potential minutes.
- Julius Randle / Naz Reid scoring vs. makeshift Clippers wings: Minnesota’s frontcourt depth creates mismatches in the paint and on the boards.
- Transition & Rebounding: Timberwolves rank top-10 in rebounding margin and fast-break points; Clippers struggle without full athleticism.
If Kawhi sits, the talent gap becomes enormous.
Series History (2025-26 Season)
The teams have split the season series 1-1:
- Feb. 8, 2026 (@ MIN): Clippers 115-96 (Kawhi Leonard dropped 41 points)
- Earlier meeting: Timberwolves won a close contest (exact date/scores confirm 1-1 split)
Historically, the Clippers lead the all-time series, but this year’s matchups have been competitive until injury disparities widened.
Betting Trends
- Timberwolves: 26-33 ATS season-long but strong as road favorites (13-15 ATS away); covered in 4 of last 5 as favorites of 4+ points. Games have gone over the total in 30 of 59 (51%).
- Clippers: 29-28 ATS season-long; 10-8 ATS as 4.5+ underdogs. Home unders have hit frequently amid low-scoring outputs. They are 0-2 ATS vs. Minnesota this season in the split.
- Head-to-head: Mixed results, but Minnesota has covered when healthy.
- Over/Under: Timberwolves games average ~231 combined points; Clippers’ recent home games trend under without full roster.
Game Odds
Minnesota Timberwolves – 5.5
Los Angeles Clippers 225.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, February 25, 2026
