Five takeaways from the Clippers' 89-76 win over the Timberwolves

Five takeaways from the Clippers’ 89-76 win over the Timberwolves

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Former Clippers guard Nate Robinson drives past Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng on March 9, 2015.

(Gus Ruelas / Associated Press)

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Timberwolves power forward Kevin Garnett bows his head during the singing of the national anthem before a matchup with the Clippers.

(Stephen Dunn / Getty Images)

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Clippers center DeAndre Jordan goes up for a slam dunk against the Timberwolves. (Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images)

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Clippers power forward Kevin Garnett did not play against the Clippers because of knee soreness.

(Stephen Dunn / Getty Images)

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Timberwolves forward Adreian Payne throws down a dunk against the Clippers. (Stephen Dunn / Getty Images)

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Clippers guard Nate Robinson looks to pass around Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng. (Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images)

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Timberwolves forward Adreian Payne looks beyond Clippers center DeAndre Jordan in the second half of the Clippers’ 89-76 victory over the Timberwolves. (Gus Ruelas / Associated Press)

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Clippers power forward Glen Davis steals the ball from Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine. The Clippers defeated Minnesota, 89-76. (Stephen Dunn / Getty Images)

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Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski throws a red and blue football into the stands during a Clippers/Timberwolves game at Staples Center. (Stephen Dunn / Getty Images)

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Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio tries to save a ball from going out of bounds. (Stephen Dunn / Getty Images)

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Clippers point guard Chris Paul is double teamed by Timberwolves forwards Adreian Payne (3) and Andrew Wiggins, right, in the second half. (Gus Ruelas / Associated Press)

By Melissa Rohlin

March 10, 2015 7:30 AM PT

Here are five takeaways from the Clippers’ 89-76 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center

1. Chris Paul is a tough cookie

Paul played Monday despite acknowledging before the game that he expected to sit out after having knocked knees with Stephen Curry in Sunday’s game against the Golden State Warriors. Paul had an X-ray Sunday evening, and the results showed no serious injury. He got treatment Sunday and Monday, and ended up playing just under 30 minutes against the Timberwolves, finishing with two points on one-for-six shooting and with 15 assists.

2. DeAndre Jordan can’t miss

Jordan had 20 points on a 10-for-11 shooting against the Timberwolves. The Clippers’ center is leading the league in field-goal percentage, shooting 72% on the season. He also finished with 17 rebounds and two blocked shots.

3. Clippers honor Ralph Lawler

The Clippers’ honored longtime broadcaster Ralph Lawler during halftime Monday. Former Clippers’ Gene Shue, Marques Johnson, Norm Nixon, Gary Grant, Corey Maggette, Lamond Murray, Olden Polynice, Pooh Richardson, Keyon Dooling and Derek Anderson were in attendance.

Said Clippers’ Coach Doc Rivers: “I think it’s awesome. I think he deserves it.”

4. Jamal Crawford and Blake Griffin remain out

There’s no timeline for the return of Griffin, who has been sidelined since Feb. 8 because of a staph infection in his right elbow that required surgery, and Crawford, who has missed the last two games because of a right calf bruise.

Said Rivers: “There’s no timetable for Jamal at all. Blake, there really isn’t ether. We’re assuming a week maybe. I don’t know. But I think he’s closer than Jamal. But there is no timetable.”

5. Clippers hit the road again

The Clippers are leaving on another road trip, playing at Oklahoma City on Wednesday and Dallas on Friday.