Clippers vs Timberwolves Picks and Prediction: Leonard's Shorthanded Squad Faces Ant-Man and Minnesota's Revenge
Los Angeles Clippers, sitting 9th in the Western Conference at 24-27, travel to face 6th-placed Minnesota at Target Center on Sunday, February 8, tipping off at 3:00 PM EST. With the Clippers navigating a post-deadline roster gutting that saw James Harden and Ivica Zubac shipped out and the Timberwolves reeling from a Friday night collapse where they blew an 18-point lead at home, this Western Conference showdown pits a shorthanded playoff longshot against a squad hunting revenge after five straight wins in the series as both teams fight to stabilize their seasons heading into the All-Star break.
OC Staff - February 8, 2026, 2:30 PM EST
3 Minute ReadClippers vs Timberwolves Picks and Prediction: Leonard's Shorthanded Squad Faces Ant-Man and Minnesota's Revenge
Clippers vs Timberwolves Recent Performance
Los Angeles sits 9th in the conference at 24-27. Their last outing was a 114-111 road win over Sacramento at Golden 1 Center, where Kawhi Leonard poured in 31 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists to carry the shorthanded Clippers. The Clippers have gone 6-4 over their last 10 games, though those wins came before they gutted the roster at Thursday's deadline.
Minnesota sits 6th in the West at 32-21. Their most recent contest ended in a 119-115 home collapse against New Orleans, blowing an 18-point third-quarter lead despite Anthony Edwards dropping 35 points. The Timberwolves have gone 5-5 in their last 10 games, stumbling through February after closing January with four straight wins.
Clippers vs Timberwolves Head to Head
The last meeting between these teams was a December 6 nail-biter that saw Minnesota escape 109-106 at home. Jaden McDaniels led the Wolves with 27 points on 10-of-13 shooting, while Leonard had 20 for Los Angeles. Minnesota has dominated this series recently, winning five straight matchups. The Clippers' last win in the series came back in early 2024.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- How to Watch: ESPN
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Clippers vs Timberwolves Team News
Los Angeles enters Sunday's contest completely retooled following Thursday's trade deadline chaos. The Clippers shipped out James Harden to Cleveland and Ivica Zubac to Indiana, bringing back Darius Garland (toe), Bennedict Mathurin (trade pending), and Isaiah Jackson (trade pending), none of whom will suit up Sunday. Bradley Beal remains done for the season after hip surgery. That leaves Leonard (27.7 PPG, 49.7% shooting, 91.9% from the line) carrying the entire offensive load alongside John Collins and Brook Lopez, with the likes of Kris Dunn and Kobe Sanders rounding out a skeleton rotation.
Minnesota's dealing with its own rotation questions. Ayo Dosunmu, acquired from Chicago on deadline day, is expected to make his Timberwolves debut after sitting out Friday's loss. The Bulls guard should provide backcourt depth alongside Edwards (29.8 PPG, 49.4% shooting) and Donte DiVincenzo (3.2 threes per game, 9th in NBA). Terrence Shannon Jr. remains out with a left foot strain, while Julian Phillips (right wrist) is questionable for his potential Minnesota debut. Julius Randle (22.2 PPG, 6.9 RPG) and Rudy Gobert (11.4 RPG, 7th in NBA) anchor the frontcourt.
Prediction: Timberwolves 120, Clippers 110
This matchup pits a Clippers squad gutted at the deadline against a Timberwolves team hunting revenge after blowing Friday's lead. Leonard (27.7 PPG) faces Minnesota's 12th-ranked defense (114.8 PPG allowed) without Harden or Zubac, leaving Collins and Lopez as his only consistent scoring options. The Wolves counter with Edwards (29.8 PPG), Randle (22.2 PPG), and a balanced attack that ranks 4th in the NBA at 119.5 PPG. Minnesota's won five straight in this series and dominates at home (17-9). Los Angeles is 1-4 ATS in its last five games and just 3-6 in games decided by three points or fewer. The Clippers' 29th-ranked rebounding (40.8 RPG) gets punished by Gobert (11.4 RPG) and Randle (6.9 RPG). Minnesota covers the 8.5-point spread at home and gets back on track.
Best Bet: Timberwolves -9.5 (-102)
Minnesota's won five straight against Los Angeles and just watched an 18-point lead evaporate at home Friday. That loss to New Orleans stings, especially with Edwards playing through a foot infection. Expect the Wolves to come out with urgency against a Clippers team missing Harden, Zubac, and Garland. Leonard (27.7 PPG) will get his, but without secondary scoring threats, Los Angeles can't keep pace with Edwards (29.8 PPG), Randle (22.2 PPG), and DiVincenzo (3.2 threes per game). The Clippers rank 29th in rebounding at 40.8 per game while Gobert (11.4 RPG) and Randle (6.9 RPG) are expected to feast on that weakness. Minnesota's 18-16 in conference play and needs wins now to avoid the play-in. Los Angeles is 1-4 ATS in its last five and just traded away its two best playmakers. The 8.5-point line feels light for a Wolves team that should control tempo, dominate the glass, and lock down a depleted Clippers offense. Take Minnesota to cover at home.
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