The Los Angeles Clippers controlled most of the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but the calm shooting touch of Naz Reid decided everything in the end, as they fell 109–106.
It certainly feels like the Los Angeles Clippers are relieved that Chris Paul is no longer on the team. As great as CP3 is, he was clearly affecting the chemistry, because ever since he was waived, his former teammates have been playing much better.
The Clippers came out with a completely different level of energy, and it was very noticeable early on. Head coach Tyronn Lue’s players quickly built a double-digit lead and it looked like they were on track to end the Wolves’ four-game winning streak. The key factor in that scenario was keeping Anthony Edwards almost invisible throughout the game.
However, Jaden McDaniels stepped up in a huge way alongside Julius Randle, and once Naz Reid joined the charge, the Clippers’ advantage disappeared in a flash. The battle especially heated up in the final quarter — more precisely, in the final 60 seconds.
First, Ivica Zubac scored through a foul to tie the game. On the other end, the experienced Mike Conley was automatic from the free-throw line. The Clippers went back on offense — James Harden forced a switch to isolate Conley, but when the help arrived and he was double-teamed, he had to give up the ball. It ended up in the hands of Serbian captain Bogdan Bogdanovic, who attacked the rim, slowed down on the second step, rose over the defender, and hit a huge shot to make it 104–104.
Chris Finch immediately called a timeout, drew up a play for Jaden McDaniels, but he missed a mid-range jumper. Naz Reid grabbed the offensive rebound to secure another possession, and after perfect ball movement, the big man with the soft touch was left all alone in the corner — and he splashed the go-ahead three.
James Harden attacked quickly for a two, the Clippers fouled, and Jaden McDaniels knocked down both free throws. Harden had another chance to send the game to overtime with 4.3 seconds left — but he missed.
Bogdan Bogdanović ties the game with 30 seconds remaining pic.twitter.com/uhSuaBaQhz
— r/nba_highlights (@rNBAHighlights) December 7, 2025
The ball movement on this Naz Reid CLUTCH triple…
Wolves lead with 13.1 seconds left 🍿 pic.twitter.com/WvEiBNuyE6
— NBA (@NBA) December 7, 2025
The loss overshadowed a massive milestone for James Harden. The former Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, and Philadelphia 76ers star moved past Carmelo Anthony and is now 10th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 28,303 points.
Considering that Harden came off the bench during his first three seasons in Oklahoma City, this number is almost unreal — especially when you remember that before the 2009 NBA Draft, in which he was selected third overall, few believed his body would hold up for this long at the highest level.
Alongside Harden’s 34 points, Kawhi Leonard scored 20, while Ivica Zubac added 15 points and 13 rebounds. John Collins contributed 12, and Bogdan Bogdanovic finished with 9 points — an encouraging sign was that he played almost 23 minutes and stayed on the court during the decisive stretch.
For the winning side, Jaden McDaniels poured in 27 points, Julius Randle had 24, Naz Reid scored 19, and Anthony Edwards added 15 points.
“History. Top 10. All-Time. James Harden.”
The free-throw that moved James Harden into 10th on the all-time scoring list 🔥
Watch LAC/MIN: https://t.co/3QM6ilkH5z https://t.co/6mKxMBuHLS pic.twitter.com/TqV03PoHzI
— NBA (@NBA) December 7, 2025
