PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves extended their winning streak to five games with a thrilling 114-109 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night, April 5, 2025. Anthony Edwards once again showcased his scoring prowess, leading the Timberwolves with 37 points, while Rudy Gobert contributed a solid performance with 23 points and 19 rebounds.
The Timberwolves, now 46-32, are firmly in the playoff race, currently holding the sixth seed in the Western Conference. Their recent success has them just 1.5 games out of fourth place, as they aim to avoid the Play-In Tournament. Minnesota has now won six of its last seven games, including a decisive 105-90 victory over the Brooklyn Nets just two days prior.
In the victory against Philadelphia, Julius Randle added 15 points and Donte DiVincenzo chipped in 13 for the Timberwolves, who faced a determined Sixers squad. Quentin Grimes led the 76ers with 28 points, shooting an impressive 10-for-18 from the field, including 6-for-10 from beyond the arc. Guerschon Yabusele scored 19 points, Lonnie Walker IV had 18, and Jared Butler contributed 16 points. However, the 76ers, now 23-55, suffered their 11th consecutive loss and their 14th in the last 15 games.
Philadelphia's struggles have been compounded by injuries to key players, including Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George. The 76ers' defense has been porous during this stretch, allowing an average of 123.2 points per game over their last 10 outings. Despite these challenges, the team put up a valiant effort, rallying to within 111-109 with just under 15 seconds remaining in the game.
In a key moment, Edwards fought off a double-team to hit a clutch three-pointer at the shot-clock buzzer, extending Minnesota's lead to 114-109. It was a historic shot for Edwards, as it marked his sixth three-pointer of the game and made him the third player in NBA history to reach 300 three-pointers in just 75 games, joining legends Stephen Curry and James Harden.
"Win. Win. Win. We want to be in control of our own destiny, and the only way we put ourselves in that situation is by winning," Timberwolves big man Naz Reid said after their previous game against Brooklyn. The Timberwolves are clearly focused on their playoff aspirations as they continue their road trip.
As for the 76ers, their season is nearing its conclusion. With only a week left in the regular season, the team is looking to regroup and end the campaign on a positive note. Unfortunately for Philadelphia, their last victory came on March 16 against the Dallas Mavericks, and since then, they have struggled to find their footing.
"We just need to keep fighting and find a way to get back on track," Grimes stated after the game. The 76ers' current losing streak matches the 15th-longest in franchise history, and this is their longest skid since a 12-game stretch in March and April of 2016.
The Timberwolves will look to continue their momentum as they prepare for the fourth game of their five-game road trip against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the 76ers will face the Miami Heat on Monday, hoping to snap their losing streak before the end of the season.
In summary, the Timberwolves are riding high as they chase a playoff spot, while the 76ers are left searching for answers as they navigate a difficult end to their season. The contrasting fortunes of these two teams were on full display at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday night.
