On January 7th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season saw the Clippers suffer a heartbreaking 19-point comeback defeat against the Timberwolves, losing 106-108. James Harden had a mixed performance, shooting 8 for 22 from the field, including 3 of 11 from beyond the arc, finishing with 22 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. However, he was also called for three offensive fouls, which sparked some controversy. Kawhi Leonard, on the other hand, was limited to just 21 minutes due to a playing time restriction. He shot 3 for 11, including 2 of 5 from three-point range, scoring 8 points with 2 rebounds and 2 assists. In the fourth quarter, Leonard was seen yawning on the bench, appearing fatigued.
This was the third meeting between the Clippers and the Timberwolves this season. The Clippers started the first quarter trailing 4-7 but quickly fought back. Leonard hit a three-pointer, Harden made a layup, Zubac scored 2 points, and Leonard followed up with a put-back basket, leading to an 11-0 run that turned the game around. Facing the Timberwolves' counterattack, Harden assisted Leonard in hitting a three-pointer to match McDaniel's shot. Harden also made a step-back mid-range jumper and a driving layup, helping the Clippers lead 27-16 after the first quarter. Harden played the entire first quarter, scoring 6 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds, while Leonard had 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists.
In the second quarter, the Clippers led by as many as 19 points before the Timberwolves responded with an 8-1 run. Powell stopped the bleeding with a three-pointer, and Harden matched Conley's three-pointer. However, the Clippers went cold again, allowing Edwards to lead a 10-0 run that cut the lead to 5 points. Powell made two free throws to stop the bleeding, and at halftime, the Clippers led 53-46. In this quarter, Leonard did not attempt any shots or score any points; during this time, Harden was called for an offensive foul after colliding with Conley, which he was visibly unhappy about.
In the first half, Harden shot 4 for 11, scoring 9 points with 4 rebounds and 4 assists, while Leonard shot 3 for 8, scoring 8 points with 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
In the third quarter, the Clippers suddenly went cold, allowing the Timberwolves to go on a 17-0 run. During this stretch, Leonard missed all three of his attempts and was subbed out with 7 minutes and 15 seconds left in the quarter. Harden then made three free throws after drawing a foul on a three-point attempt to break the Clippers' scoring drought. He followed that up by making two consecutive three-pointers to lead a comeback, scoring on a floater in the paint. Harden scored 11 points in the quarter, going 3 for 6 from the field. During this time, he was called for another offensive foul while taking on Randle.
Due to strict playing restrictions, Leonard did not return to the court after playing 21 minutes and was seen yawning on the bench in the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Clippers struggled offensively, prompting Tyronn Lue to bring Harden back into the game. Harden facilitated the offense, and the Clippers found their rhythm, going on an 11-0 run at a critical moment. However, Edwards made a strong 2+1 play and hit a steal-and-chase three-pointer. Harden scored on a layup, and with 1 minute and 49 seconds left, McDaniels hit a three-pointer. Powell made a 2+1 play, and Edwards hit another three-pointer. Zubac made a turnover, and Hua Zi sealed the win with a three-pointer, roaring in celebration. Ultimately, the Clippers lost the game, suffering their third loss to the Timberwolves this season. Hua Zi scored 37 points with 8 assists and 7 rebounds, including an incredible 13 points in the last 4 minutes.