When the Timberwolves defeated the Clippers on Tuesday night in front of a packed house inside the Target Center, it featured a vintage performance from Patrick Beverley.
The Minnesota guard, who posted a seven-point, 11-rebound, three assists performance, came up with the signature play of the game when he ripped Clippers point guard Reggie Jackson, creating a steal for his teammate, Anthony Edwards, in the final seconds of the game.
Beverley, in that moment and against his former team, started what would be a series of massive Twitter reactions that came from his postgame antics—that included having a drink in the news conference—and NBA Finals–worthy celebration. In helping the Timberwolves clinch a playoff spot in the Western Conference for the first time since the 2017–18 season, Beverley shared his most candid comments when asked what he had told his former teammates.
“I told them to take they a– home,” Beverley said. “Long flight to L.A., take y’all a– home. It’s deeper than that for me. I gave my blood, sweat and tears to that organization. You guys know the story … to be written off like that … ‘He’s injury prone, he’s old,’ to be able to come here, play them in a play-in, beat their a--, no other feeling.”
Minnesota’s victory against the Clippers landed it a date against Memphis in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs Saturday. For Beverley, instead of a matchup against Jackson, he faces a matchup against one of the league’s most electrifying and grittiest stars in Grizzlies guard Ja Morant.
The matchup between the two is one to grab your popcorn for as it will be filled with tense and trash-talking moments. However, it will be interesting to see whether Beverley will celebrate by jumping on tables and heaving his jersey into the crowd if Minnesota manages to win its first-round series against Memphis.
Get ready for a thrilling series with tons of action to come from Beverley.
