The Philadelphia 76ers arrived at the Target Center on Sunday night, February 22, 2026, with the weight of a four-game losing streak pressing down on their shoulders. Facing the Minnesota Timberwolves, who themselves were riding high on a three-game winning run and boasting seven wins in their last ten outings, the Sixers had every reason to feel the pressure. Add to that the absence of their superstar Joel Embiid, sidelined for a fifth consecutive game with persistent knee and shin issues, and Paul George, still serving a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s drug policy, and the odds seemed firmly stacked against the visitors.
Yet, basketball has a way of flipping the script. On a night when the Timberwolves were favored by 9.5 points according to DraftKings Sportsbook, and the 76ers looked battered and short-handed, Tyrese Maxey and his supporting cast delivered a performance that stunned the Minnesota crowd and snapped Philadelphia’s season-worst skid in emphatic fashion. The final score: 135-108 in favor of the Sixers, a result that not only ended their losing streak but also sent a message across the league that this team, even without its biggest stars, has plenty of fight left.
Tip-off came at 7 p.m. ET, with fans tuning in via FDSN, NBCS-PH, Fubo, and Prime Video. Both teams were missing key frontcourt pieces—Minnesota without the defensive anchor Rudy Gobert (out due to flagrant foul accumulation) and the versatile Naz Reid (right shoulder injury, downgraded to questionable and ultimately sidelined), while the Sixers were forced to dig deep into their bench with Embiid and George out, as well as Johni Broome (meniscus tear) and MarJon Beauchamp (unspecified injury) unavailable.
Philadelphia’s starting five featured Tyrese Maxey at point guard, VJ Edgecombe at shooting guard, Kelly Oubre Jr. on the wing, Dominick Barlow at power forward, and Adem Bona holding down the center spot. Minnesota countered with Donte DiVincenzo, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, and the uncertain Naz Reid, who ultimately did not suit up, leaving rookie Joan Beringer to step into the starting lineup.
From the opening whistle, it was clear that Maxey was on a mission. After a tough outing against the Pelicans the previous night, the All-Star guard rediscovered his rhythm early, knocking down a pair of triples and attacking the paint with renewed vigor. According to player grades from the night, "His shooting then allowed him to put his head down and attack Minnesota’s aggressive defense and get into the paint. He looked like he had his burst back off the dribble as he was able to take defenders to the basket." Maxey finished the night with a dazzling 39 points and eight assists, earning an A-plus grade and causing endless headaches for the Timberwolves’ defense, especially during a pivotal third-quarter stretch when Minnesota threatened to rally.
But Maxey wasn’t alone in carrying the load. Rookie VJ Edgecombe, who had recently hit the proverbial rookie wall, found his stride against Minnesota’s shorthanded lineup. Edgecombe poured in 24 points and grabbed seven rebounds, moving well off the ball and draining timely threes. "He was very good in a number of areas and was a big part of Philadelphia’s overall success," noted one report. Quentin Grimes also shone, tallying 19 points and seven assists, while Kelly Oubre Jr. contributed 18 points and five rebounds, making an impact both from beyond the arc and by slashing into the paint.
The Sixers’ bench played a crucial role, with Dominick Barlow (eight points, three rebounds, three assists) hustling for extra possessions and providing stout help defense. Andre Drummond, adjusting from facing veteran DeAndre Jordan the night before to rookie Beringer, used his size to carve out space for rebounds and draw fouls, despite a few defensive lapses. Adem Bona, active in the dunker spot, snagged five rebounds and scored eight points, while Cam Payne and Jabari Walker chipped in valuable minutes off the bench.
For the Timberwolves, the absence of Gobert and Reid was keenly felt. Anthony Edwards, fresh off a 40-point explosion against Dallas, tried to keep his team afloat, but the lack of interior presence allowed Philadelphia to control the glass and attack the rim with confidence. Julius Randle, expected to shoulder more rebounding duties, found himself outmatched by Philadelphia’s collective effort on the boards—a surprising turnaround given the Sixers’ season-long struggles in that area (they entered the game ranked 19th in rebounds per game and 22nd in opponent rebounds allowed).
Pre-game predictions heavily favored Minnesota, who were not only the home team but also boasted the NBA’s fourth-best scoring offense at 119.7 points per game and a seventh-ranked defensive rating. However, the Sixers, who had averaged 115.9 points per game (14th in the league), exploded for 135 points—well above their season average—despite missing their two biggest offensive threats. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, fell short of their typical output, hampered by depleted depth in the paint and a relentless Philadelphia attack.
The victory was a much-needed shot in the arm for a Sixers squad that had dropped four straight games by an average of 22.8 points, including losses to teams with losing records. The Timberwolves, on the other hand, saw their winning streak snapped and were forced to regroup as they continue their push for a top-four seed in the Western Conference. The loss also highlighted Minnesota’s reliance on their big men, with Randle unable to fully compensate for Gobert and Reid’s absence on the boards.
For Philadelphia, the win is more than just a number in the standings—it’s a statement of resilience and depth. Maxey’s performance, in particular, stood out as a reminder of his All-Star credentials and ability to shoulder the offensive load when called upon. As one player grade put it, "He was terrific all night long and caused a lot of headaches for the Timberwolves." Edgecombe’s emergence as a reliable secondary scorer and Grimes’ confident playmaking also bode well for the Sixers as they look to climb back up the Eastern Conference standings and avoid the play-in tournament.
With Embiid’s return still uncertain and George’s suspension ongoing, Philadelphia will need more nights like this from its supporting cast. But for now, the panic alarm has been silenced, at least temporarily, as the Sixers head home with a hard-earned win and renewed belief in their ability to compete—no matter who’s on the floor.