Injury Report
| Player |
Team |
Date |
Status |
Info |
| D’Angelo Russell |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
11 Apr 2022 |
Day to Day (Illness) |
Russell was OUT for Minnesota’s Sunday (Apr 10) game. |
| Jason Preston |
LA Clippers |
7 Oct 2021 |
Out (Foot) |
Preston underwent foot surgery and will be out for the season. |
| Kawhi Leonard |
LA Clippers |
6 Jan 2022 |
Out (Knee) |
Leonard is undergoing rehab on his ACL and could still return this post-season. |
| Jay Scrubb |
LA Clippers |
9 Feb 2022 |
Out (Toe) |
Scrubb underwent toe surgery and will miss the remainder of the season. |
| Marcus Morris |
LA Clippers |
11 Apr 2022 |
Day to Day (Illness) |
Morris was OUT for LA’s Sunday (Apr 10) game. |
How Can the Clippers Beat the Timberwolves?
The LA Clippers put together a solid team to carry them to the post-season, despite the extended absence of stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. While the Clippers will likely have George back for this game, it will be the role players who need to step up.
The LA Clippers are second in the league in bench scoring, averaging 40.0 bench pointes per game. Key acquisitions, known for their playoff production, like Norman Powell and Robert Covington will be counted on as the playoff lineup shortens.
The Timberwolves play at a fast pace, and LA haven’t produced one of the league’s most threatening offenses this season. If they want to earn a playoff spot, the Clippers need to keep up on the offensive end.
Clippers Key Player: (G-F) Paul George
The LA Clippers finally welcomed Paul George back into the lineup late this season. While he hasn’t had much time to get acclimated, the 11-year NBA veteran will need to be on-point to beat the Timberwolves.
George has only been able to play in 31 games through the 2021-2022 NBA season, but he’s been solid in his appearances. George has averaged 24.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists on 42.1% shooting from the field and 35.4% from three.
The Clippers will call upon George to be the leader of the team when they face the high intensity of the NBA Play-In Tournament. With the supporting cast carrying LA to a post-season opportunity, George must be the star that can carry them past the finish line.
How Can the Timberwolves Beat the Clippers?
The Minnesota Timberwolves are looking to get their first taste of playoff basketball since 2018. Relying on the up-tempo offense instilled by head coach Chris Finch, the Timberwolves need to outpace the Clippers.
The Timberwolves have the 8th ranked offence in the NBA, mostly due to their ball movement, three-point shooting, and willingness to get to the free throw line. The star trio of Towns, Edwards, and Russell, are the ones that set the tone offensively from the jump.
The Clippers employ a very aggressive perimeter defence, ranking 8th in the NBA while holding their opponents to the 6th best field goal percentage per game (45.0%). If Minnesota can avoid the halfcourt and force the Clippers into a running game, they have an excellent chance.
Timberwolves Key Player: (C) Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns enters this game with the opportunity to participate in his first ever NBA playoffs. The self-proclaimed best big man shooter in NBA history, Towns has a large task in front of him in the LA Clippers.
After earning the third All-Star berth of his career, Towns was able to lead his Timberwolves to the 7th seed in the Western Conference. For the season, Towns averaged 24.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. He also shot 41% from three and won this year’s All-Star Three-Point Shootout.
Towns has the advantage against any Clippers lineup, making him the most dangerous offensive player on the court. If the Timberwolves have any hope of advancing, Towns must be aggressive on the offensive end.
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