Kawhi Leonard scores 45 as Clippers rout Timberwolves

Clippers move above .500 with third straight win and sixth in seven games

Mar. 12, 2026 at 5:27am

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Kawhi Leonard scored 45 points and the Los Angeles Clippers routed the Minnesota Timberwolves 153-128 on Wednesday night, moving above .500 with their third straight victory and sixth in seven games. The Clippers had their highest points total of the season, making 19 of 37 three-pointers.

Why it matters

The Clippers' strong recent play has helped them climb back into playoff position in the tight Western Conference, where they are now eighth in the standings. Meanwhile, the loss drops the Timberwolves to sixth in the West, just a half-game ahead of the Lakers.

The details

Leonard was 15 of 20 from the field, 6 of 9 on threes and made 9 of 10 free throws. Bennedict Mathurin scored 22 points for the Clippers and Darius Garland had 21, hitting 5 three-pointers. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 36 points and Naz Reid had 18.

  • The Clippers opened a five-game homestand with the win on Wednesday night.
  • The Clippers had beaten the New York Knicks on Monday to start the homestand.

The players

Kawhi Leonard

The Clippers' star forward scored 45 points on 15-of-20 shooting, including 6-of-9 from three-point range.

Bennedict Mathurin

The Clippers' guard scored 22 points in the win.

Darius Garland

The Clippers' guard scored 21 points, hitting 5 three-pointers.

Anthony Edwards

The Timberwolves' star guard led his team with 36 points in the loss.

Naz Reid

The Timberwolves' center scored 18 points in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“Kawhi was dominant tonight, and our team really fed off his energy. This was a big win for us as we try to climb back into the playoff picture.”

— Tyronn Lue, Clippers Head Coach (Los Angeles Times)

“We just couldn't find a way to slow them down, especially Kawhi. He was hitting everything and we had no answer for him.”

— Chris Finch, Timberwolves Head Coach (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

The Clippers will look to continue their strong play at home when they host the Phoenix Suns on Friday night. The Timberwolves will try to snap their three-game losing streak when they visit the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.

The takeaway

Kawhi Leonard's dominant 45-point performance led the Clippers to a much-needed win as they continue to climb back into playoff position in the West. Meanwhile, the loss drops the Timberwolves down in the standings, highlighting the tight competition in the conference.