The LA Clippers easily beat the Minnesota Timberwolves. Here are three takeaways.
After suffering the worst defeat in franchise history on Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks, the LA Clippers came out and gave us exactly the type of bounce-back game that was needed.
They defeated a Minnesota Timberwolves team (who was without Karl-Anthony Towns) 124-101. In the second straight game without Kawhi Leonard, the whole team stepped up, looking to remove any doubts about them after the loss to Dallas. Seven Clippers’ players scored in double-digits and head coach Ty Lue was able to empty the bench.
Here are three takeaways from the win.
1. LA Clippers Takeaway: Lou Williams showed up!
The LA Clippers got a classic game out of Lou Williams, who led the team in scoring with 20 points. Lou hadn’t necessarily been bad in the first three games but hadn’t quite looked like himself.
Last night though, he stepped up and did so early. He was aggressive from the start, going to the line five times in just the first quarter. With Kawhi Leonard not active and the team needing someone to lean on, this was the perfect game for Lou to step up for.
Lou is still feeling out the new bench. He lost his long-time running mate in Montrezl Harrell and now is trying to figure out chemistry with Ivica Zubac. He also will share a lot of ball-handling duty with both Luke Kennard and Reggie Jackson joining him on the second unit. Once Marcus Morris is back, Nic Batum will be another playmaker added to that group, meaning even fewer hands-on time for Williams.
Even considering all that, Lou is well on his way to understanding his adjusted role. The Clippers will need him to continue this type of excellence as the season goes forward.