Kawhi Leonard's 41 Points Lift Clippers Over Timberwolves

Clippers cruise past struggling Minnesota squad with dominant second half performance.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Kawhi Leonard scored a game-high 41 points and grabbed 8 rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 115-96 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. The Clippers took control of the game with a 17-3 run to close out the third quarter, handing the Timberwolves their third loss in the last four games.

Why it matters

The win helps the Clippers maintain their position in the Western Conference playoff race, while the Timberwolves continue to struggle against sub-.500 opponents, raising questions about their ability to secure a postseason berth.

The details

In addition to Leonard's big night, John Collins and Yanic Konan Niederhauser each scored 15 points for the Clippers. Minnesota was led by Anthony Edwards' 23 points, but the team shot just 8-of-33 from three-point range and committed 20 turnovers. Ayo Dosunmu made his Timberwolves debut after being acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bulls, scoring 11 points with 2 steals.

  • The game was played on Sunday, February 9, 2026.

The players

Kawhi Leonard

The star forward for the Los Angeles Clippers, who scored a game-high 41 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in the win.

Anthony Edwards

The leading scorer for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who had 23 points in the losing effort.

Ayo Dosunmu

The guard who made his debut for the Timberwolves after being acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bulls, scoring 11 points with 2 steals.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to play with the same intensity and focus, regardless of the opponent. This was a good team win, but we know there is still work to be done.”

— Kawhi Leonard (latimes.com)

What’s next

The Clippers will look to build on this win as they continue their playoff push, while the Timberwolves will try to regroup and get back on track in their quest to secure a postseason berth.

The takeaway

Leonard's dominant performance and the Clippers' ability to pull away in the second half highlight the team's depth and versatility, which will be crucial as they navigate the competitive Western Conference landscape. For the Timberwolves, this loss underscores the need to improve their three-point shooting and cut down on turnovers in order to consistently compete with the top teams in the NBA.