Wolves record: 1-4

While Telfair and Smith came off the bench in measured roles for the Clippers, Wolves coach Kurt Rambis started Flynn for the fourth time in as many games this season and brought Sessions off the bench.

But also once again, he tinkered with the point-guard combination, searching for the guy who can get his triangle offense organized and running efficiently.

As he did in Sunday’s loss at Phoenix, Rambis again turned toward Sessions — who played 26 minutes to Flynn’s 22 on Monday — and ran the team for most of the fourth quarter, including the final 2:37.

Not only was Minnesota playing the second of back-to-back road games, but the Timberwolves are trying to get by without second-year center Kevin Love, who broke his hand in the preseason. Al Jefferson attempted to pick up the slack, scoring 24 points, including a jump hook that pulled the Timberwolves within one point with 26 seconds remaining.

Corey Brewer contributed 14 points and rookie point guard Jonny Flynn and forward Oleksiy Pecherov scored 13 each.