Tyrese Maxey had 39 points and eight assists, VJ Edgecombe made a career-high six 3-pointers and finished with 24 points, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 135-108 on Sunday night to snap a four-game losing streak — all by double figures.
Maxey made 16 of 28 shots from the field and hit four of Philadelphia’s 21 3-pointers. Quentin Grimes had 19 points, which included five 3s, and seven assists. Kelly Oubre Jr. added 18 points and four steals.
Coming off a 126-111 defeat Saturday night at New Orleans, the Sixers were again without center Joel Embiid, who missed his third straight game since the All-Star break due to right shin soreness. Embiid also sat out three of the last five games going into the break with soreness in his right knee.
Minnesota had its three-game win streak snapped. Anthony Edwards scored 19 of his 28 points in the first half for the Timberwolves. Jaden McDaniels added 19 and Julius Randle scored 18.
Naz Ried (shoulder soreness) did not play for Minnesota, and Rudy Gobert served a one-game suspension for accumulating too many flagrant fouls. Gobert, the four-time NBA defensive player of the year, will be suspended two games for each additional flagrant foul this season.
Joan Beringer, a 6-foot-11 center, made his first career start for the Timberwolves. Picked No. 17 overall in the 2025 draft, Beringer had two points and three fouls in five first-half minutes. Ayo Dosunmu started the third quarter in Beringer’s place and finished with 12 points.
Grimes hit a 3-pointer and then found a cutting Adem Bona for a dunk before Maxey drained a fadeaway jumper and a 3 to cap a 10-2 run that made it 35-26 at the end of the first quarter. Philadelphia led the rest of the way.
Up next
76ers: Wrap up a three-game trip Tuesday at Indiana.
After their worst loss of the season, the Sixers went wire to wire as the better team in Minneapolis on Sunday night. Their dynamic backcourt dominated to stop the bleeding without Joel Embiid.
No matter what happens, the 2025-26 Sixers seem to always end up having their games go down to the wire. Thursday’s return from the All-Star break was no different.
Joel Embiid missed the Sixers’ last two games before the All-Star break due to a resurgent right knee issue – his first unplanned absences in over a month.
Joel Embiid, who has not missed a game that was not part of a back-to-back since Dec. 28, has played in 18 of the Sixers’ 22 games since that point. The Sixers are 13-5 in those contests.
For the Philadelphia 76ers, the push toward the NBA Finals will be shaped less by blowout wins against lesser opponents and more by high-leverage games against playoff-caliber teams.
These contests will test lineup flexibility, late-game execution, and mental toughness. They also reveal whether Philadelphia can consistently impose its style on teams that know them well.
Several matchups on the calendar stand out as tone-setters, games that influence seeding, confidence, and league-wide respect.
Each one offers a snapshot of who the 76ers are right now, and who they are becoming as the postseason approaches.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks
Date: February 12
Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The February 12 matchup against the New York Knicks will shine a spotlight on the Philadelphia 76ers’ ability to handle physical, playoff-style basketball. New York brings defensive pressure, rebounding strength, and a slow-it-down approach that forces discipline on both ends.
In the recent 2025/26 coverage, analysts consistently frame the Knicks as a stress test for teams with championship aspirations, and Philadelphia leans into that challenge.
The 76ers emphasize half-court execution, patient ball movement, and attacking mismatches rather than rushing possessions. This game also matters psychologically, as the Knicks are a direct obstacle in the Eastern Conference.
A strong performance will reinforce the opinion that the Philadelphia 76ers can win games where spacing is tight, and points come at a premium.
For fans who closely follow momentum swings and matchups, it’s noteworthy that this type of contest often shapes how those immersing themselves in the sport bet on NBA games. These sorts of matchups reveal which contenders remain composed under pressure rather than relying on pace alone.
When the Philadelphia 76ers face the Indiana Pacers on February 25, the contrast in styles takes center stage. Indiana pushes tempo, prioritizes transition scoring, and thrives when games become chaotic.
The recent 2025/26 analysis points to this matchup as a test of control. Philadelphia focuses on limiting turnovers and dictating pace, knowing that defensive discipline often determines the outcome. This game will force the 76ers’ perimeter defenders to stay locked in while bigs recover quickly in space.
Offensively, Philadelphia will look to exploit Indiana’s defensive lapses by creating high-quality shots rather than trading baskets. A win here signals that the Philadelphia 76ers can adapt without abandoning their identity.
It also matters in the standings, as games against fast-rising conference opponents influence tiebreakers and playoff positioning. More importantly, it’ll show whether Philadelphia can win games that feel uncomfortable, an essential trait for any team with Finals ambitions.
Credit: Taylor Smith-Unsplash
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics
Date: March 2
Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
The March 2 showdown with the Boston Celtics feels like a preview of May, and for the Philadelphia 76ers, no opponent carries more symbolic weight.
Boston represents the gold standard in the East, and 2025/26 NBA coverage frequently frames this rivalry as a referendum on Philadelphia’s readiness. Every possession matters, and adjustments happen quickly. The 76ers prioritize defensive communication, knowing Boston thrives on exploiting small mistakes.
On offense, Philadelphia targets efficient shot creation rather than volume, understanding that empty possessions swing momentum fast in these games. This matchup also tests mental resilience, especially in late-game scenarios where execution outweighs talent.
A strong showing against Boston reinforces the idea that the Philadelphia 76ers belong in the same championship conversation.
Win or lose, how Philadelphia competes, its poise, adaptability, and response to runs, will shape league perception and influence how seriously opponents take them entering the postseason.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Date: March 11
Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The March 11 game against the Memphis Grizzlies offers the Philadelphia 76ers a different kind of challenge. Memphis brings athleticism, defensive aggression, and a relentless attack.
Recent season analysis emphasizes that Western Conference opponents like the Grizzlies test a team’s physical endurance and depth. For Philadelphia, this matchup is about sustaining intensity across four quarters.
The 76ers focus on defensive rotations and rebounding to prevent second-chance points, while offensively, they look to punish overhelping with smart ball movement. This game also matters because it simulates the grind of Finals-style basketball, where physicality escalates, and whistles tighten.
A composed performance will show that the Philadelphia 76ers can handle teams that pressure the rim and challenge every possession. It’ll also reveal whether their system can hold up not just against familiar Eastern rivals, but against elite, high-energy opponents from the West.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Denver Nuggets
Date: March 18
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado
Facing the Denver Nuggets on March 18 represents one of the clearest measuring sticks for the Philadelphia 76ers. Denver’s championship pedigree and disciplined execution force opponents to play near-perfect basketball.
In 2025–2026 previews, this matchup is often framed as a Finals-level chess match. Philadelphia emphasizes defensive versatility, switching schemes to disrupt rhythm while staying connected on shooters.
Offensively, the 76ers prioritize spacing and decision-making, knowing Denver punishes hesitation. This game will also highlight stamina and focus, as Denver thrives on wearing teams down with consistent pressure.
A competitive showing will signal that the Philadelphia 76ers can match elite teams possession for possession without unraveling. Beyond the result, how Philadelphia manages late-game situations, timeouts, matchups, and shot selection offers insight into their championship readiness.
Games like this define whether Finals aspirations feel realistic or remain theoretical.
Collective Impact
The road to the NBA Finals rarely hinges on a single moment, but for the Philadelphia 76ers, these key games collectively define their trajectory. Each matchup reveals something different: resilience against physical teams, control versus speed, composure under rivalry pressure, and adaptability against elite Western opponents.
Together, they shape confidence, seeding, and belief inside the locker room. The Philadelphia 76ers are not chasing style points; they are building habits that translate into postseason success. How they perform in these spotlight games influences how the league views them and how they view themselves.
If Philadelphia continues to meet these challenges with discipline and clarity, the push toward the NBA Finals feels less like hope and more like expectation.
The best game of Dominick Barlow’s young, promising NBA career lifted the Sixers past the Los Angeles Clippers, who may or may not be on the verge of trading James Harden.
Joel Embiid is coming off a 40-point, 39-minute game in which he was never listed on the Sixers’ injury report. In the wake of Paul George’s 25-game suspension, they will need more of that from the former NBA MVP.
All day Thursday, the Sixers’ messaging was clear: they could not take a perceived easy matchup against Sacramento lightly. Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid certainly did not.
But something has shifted this year. It’s like a jolt of energy hit the locker room. The team’s chemistry is the best it’s been in a while—guys are genuinely enjoying playing together, supporting each other, and buying in. Leading the charge? Joel Embiid, who’s playing like an All-Star again.
All-Star bench players haven’t been revealed yet, and while it’s tough to crack the East frontcourt with how stacked it is, Embiid is right there in the conversation. Besides Nikola Jokic, he’s basically the only center averaging over 25 points per game league-wide right now. If he keeps this up, he should be a lock.
With a healthy Embiid leading the way, and Tyrese Maxey playing at an MVP-candidate level next to him, this Sixers team has no real ceiling. The roster mixes young upside with Hall of Fame-caliber vets like Paul George, and the pieces are starting to click. We’re sitting in a solid spot in the standings, and the Eastern Conference looks weaker than usual—especially with stars like Jayson Tatum (Achilles) and Tyrese Haliburton dealing with major injuries that are keeping them sidelined or limited.
The trade deadline is right around the corner, and it’s a must that the Sixers act as buyers. Daryl Morey needs to add the right depth or a missing piece to maximize this win-now window before those other teams get their guys back healthy.
The first half of Sixers-Knicks on Saturday afternoon was the dream of Sixers fans. The second half was a nightmare they have experienced many times before.
After a few days of being asked about why they kept struggling in fourth quarters, the Sixers dominated the Indiana Pacers in the final frame on Monday night to get back in the win column.
Joel Embiid (left knee injury management) is questionable for the Sixers’ home game against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night, according to the team’s injury report for the game unveiled on Sunday which also lists Paul George as questionable due to left knee injury management:
The Sixers have an injury report for tomorrow’s game vs. Indiana:
Joel Embiid – left knee injury management – QUESTIONABLE
Paul George – left knee injury management – QUESTIONABLE
Over the last three weeks, Embiid has enjoyed his healthiest and most consistent stretch of basketball in over two years. He has played in nine of the Sixers’ last 10 games, averaging 32.9 minutes and 27.0 points during that span. While Embiid remains a far cry from his prior NBA MVP form, he has shown significant progress from where he was earlier this season in terms of both availability and production.
The Sixers and Cavaliers alike have described their pair of games as having a playoff feel. The distinct differences in makeup between the teams creates a compelling matchup.
Joel Embiid (left knee injury management) is probable for the Sixers’ home rematch with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night, according to the team’s initial injury report for the game unveiled on Thursday, which also lists Paul George as probable with left knee injury management and Dominick Barlow as questionable due to a back contusion:
The Sixers have an injury report for tomorrow’s game vs. Cleveland:
Joel Embiid — left knee injury management — PROBABLE
Paul George – left knee injury management – PROBABLE
Embiid, who has played in eight of the Sixers’ last nine games, has enjoyed his healthiest and most consistent stretch of basketball in over two years. His only absence in 2026 came on the front end of the Sixers’ back-to-back in Toronto last week; he sat in a loss to the Raptors before helping the Sixers avenge that defeat the following night. George also missed the front end of that back-to-back; soreness in his left knee forced him to be a late scratch. He has played in each of the Sixers’ games since that absence.
After the Sixers practiced on Thursday morning, Barlow was seen getting shots up with a player development coach. Though Barlow did not have a jersey on, indicating he was not part of any live action, him performing any basketball activity was a positive sign after he left Wednesday’s game against Cleveland with his back contusion, which appeared to cause him significant pain.
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said after practice that the team canceled plans to get imaging on Barlow’s back because he woke up feeling better. The 22-year-old, who has shined on a two-way contract, has avoided a serious injury.
“Sounded like he was going to be okay,” Nurse said.
