Minnesota Timberwolves at Clippers: Odds, injuries, and what to watch for

The Minnesota Timberwolves are still in Los Angeles, and they’re looking to bounce back against the Clippers after a miserable showing on Sunday against the Lakers.

The season is only three games old, and the Minnesota Timberwolves have already ridden a roller coaster ride that feels like a season’s worth of ups and downs.

The Wolves started 2-0 but lost Karl-Anthony Towns to injury late in their road victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday night. On Sunday, there was a moment when it seemed as though Towns may return to play by that evening against the Lakers. But then, news came down that the injury was a dislocation, and Towns will be considered week-to-week moving forward.

Then, the Wolves were blown out by the Lakers on Sunday, and Josh Okogie injured his quadriceps and might not play on Tuesday.

The Clippers are facing adversity as well, coming off a 51-point loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday that saw L.A. trailing by as 50 points at halftime — the largest halftime deficit in NBA history.

Kawhi Leonard missed the game due to injury; he needed stitches after being hit in the mouth at the end of their Christmas Day game. He is questionable for Tuesday’s game against the Wolves.

Minnesota Timberwolves odds against the LA Clippers

Without Towns, the Timberwolves are 10.5-point underdogs against the Clippers, according to The Action Network. The Wolves were nine-point underdogs against the Lakers on Sunday, so this isn’t all too surprising — even with the high likelihood that Leonard won’t play.

TV and streaming info for Minnesota Timberwolves at LA Clippers

• Television: Fox Sports North
• Radio: 830 WCCO
• Stream: Fubo.tv offers streaming options

What to watch for in Minnesota Timberwolves at LA Clippers

Through three games, the Clippers are last in the NBA in pace. They played fast last season, so it remains to be seen if this is a true shift following the coaching change from Doc Rivers to Ty Lue, but it’s a development worth monitoring.

As usual, the Wolves will want to play fast. They always do, but it may be that much more important when facing a potentially dominant half-court team.

Not having either Towns or Okogie will make it more difficult, of course, but Minnesota will rely on the likes of Malik Beasley, Ricky Rubio, and Jarrett Culver to get stops and get out into transition. The Clippers have an incredibly deep roster and can win in multiple ways, but the Wolves will want to run as much as possible.

Minnesota will obviously need more out of D’Angelo Russell, who scored only four points and had three assists compared to seven turnovers in 21 minutes in Sunday’s game.

Injury Report for Minnesota Timberwolves at LA Clippers

The Wolves are without Towns and Jaylen Nowell, who continues to deal with a calf injury. Okogie is officially listed as doubtful by the team.

Leonard practiced on Monday but is officially listed as questionable for Tuesday night’s game.

We’ll be back later tonight with postgame reaction.