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LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) could be a Golden State Warriors trade target.
Out in Los Angeles, California, the LA Clippers and the Minnesota Timberwolves battled for a chance to improve in a tight Western Conference.
Despite being the higher seed heading into the night, the Timberwolves didn’t have answers for Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers.
The veteran forward didn’t need a ton of time on the floor. Leonard checked in for 32 minutes. He shot 15-20 from the field, knocking down 6-9 shots from deep. He also went 9-10 from the charity stripe.
Leonard produced 45 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals on the night.
NBA Fans React to Kawhi Leonard’s Big Night For Clippers-Timberwolves
Here’s how NBA fans reacted to Kawhi’s night on X:
via @rvpats1212: There is no team in the West that wants to see Kawhi and the Clippers in the first round of the playoffs. They can legitimately upset the top seed.
@FastBreakBron: He IS playing the best basketball of his career
@tamtat00: +41 is crazy! Top 5 in MVP convos
MikeMinesMD: absolute menace
@UnfilteredTemi: Healthy Kawhi Leonard is still one of the scariest players in basketball. 🔥
@ClutchPoints: KAWHI LEONARD HAS 42 POINTS 🔥 Big time three for the Klaw!
Kawhi Leonard Is Putting Together A Memorable Run
GettyKawhi Leonard during a game when the Clippers faced the Golden State Warriors.
The Clippers started the 2025-2026 NBA season off on the wrong foot.
They were one of the worst teams in basketball through the first stretch. Leonard was a key factor in helping the team turn everything around. Once he started to hit his stride, Leonard helped the Clippers develop into the hottest team in the league.
However, the Clippers made some major changes at the NBA deadline. James Harden was sent packing to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Ivica Zubac was moved to the Indiana Pacers.
Leonard grew skeptical of the Clippers’ chances of growing a championship-caliber chemistry in time to make a run, but he continues to thrive with the LA-based franchise.
In the 50 games leading up to Wednesday’s game, Leonard shot 49% from the field and 37% from three. The All-Star is averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists.
After Wednesday’s win over the Timberwolves, the Clippers made it to 33-32 on the year. They are now eighth in the Western Conference. The Clippers have a one-game advantage over the Golden State Warriors.
Although the Clippers defeated the sixth-seeded Timberwolves, they have a long way to go to catch them. The Clippers currently trail the Timberwolves by 6.5 games.
The Clippers seem likely to land in the Play-In. With the way Leonard is playing, and with some additional time for the new guys to get settled in, LA just might be the West’s biggest threat from a Play-In standpoint.
Justin Grasso Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso
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