Clippers Face Timberwolves as Both Teams Seek to End Skids

The Los Angeles Clippers and the Minnesota Timberwolves are set to square off on Friday night at the Target Center in an NBA Cup West Group B matchup. Both squads enter the contest looking to reverse recent struggles, with the Clippers aiming to snap a three-game losing streak and the Timberwolves seeking their first win without star guard Anthony Edwards.

The Clippers hold a 1-3 record after dropping a low-scoring 103-87 contest to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. That defeat marked the team's worst offensive output of the young season. Los Angeles is currently navigating a wave of long-term injuries to key contributors, including Brandon Ingram, Max Strus, Bradley Beal, Jordan Miller, and Yanic Konan Niederhauser.

Despite the offensive woes, the Clippers upgraded forward Rui Hachimura to questionable ahead of Friday's game after he missed Wednesday's matchup due to left quad soreness. Hachimura has averaged 10.3 points, six rebounds, and one assist through his first three games of the season. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue emphasized that his shorthanded team needs to play with greater pace and make quicker decisions to generate offense.

"They understand what we need to do," Lue said. "I can't fault guys for trying or saying like we're being selfish or anything like that. I just think the way we need to play and how teams are going to guard us, we've just got to make quick decisions."

On the other side, the Minnesota Timberwolves are adjusting to life without Edwards, who is expected to miss up to two months following a knee procedure. Minnesota dropped its second straight game on Wednesday, falling 119-114 at home to the Golden State Warriors. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch noted that his players placed too much pressure on themselves to replace Edwards' scoring output.

"I think it's just guys feeling that they've got to step up, and everybody's got to step up and try to fill some void," Finch said. "The scoring void is one of the easier ones to fill. As long as you're doing the right things and sticking in the flow, people will benefit from it."

Friday's game will air at 8 p.m. ET, with the Timberwolves listed as 7.5-point favorites according to oddsmakers. Both teams will lean heavily on their remaining available personnel as they attempt to regain momentum early in the 2026 NBA season.