Key Players and Team Dynamics
Both the 76ers and the Timberwolves entered their matchup on Sunday, February 22, at Target Center missing key frontcourt players. Joel Embiid of the 76ers and Naz Reid of the Wolves were sidelined due to injuries, while Paul George and Rudy Gobert were suspended. The 76ers had a four-game losing streak, whereas the Wolves had won three consecutive games. However, it was the Wolves who struggled in the game, suffering a 135-108 loss.
The absence of Gobert, the team’s defensive anchor, left the Wolves vulnerable on defense. Meanwhile, Reid’s injury reduced the team’s offensive firepower and made them less balanced overall. Coach Chris Finch experimented with different lineups, but none proved effective.
“We was all out of whack today,” said Anthony Edwards about the lineup changes. “We had Slim [Jaden McDaniels] at the 5, Julius [Randle] at the 5 sometimes. I was at the 4. It was crazy today.”
Performance Highlights
Tyrese Maxey outshined his All-Star Game teammate Edwards with 39 points, while Edwards managed 28 points but also committed seven turnovers. Philadelphia rookie VJ Edgecombe contributed 24 points and seven rebounds, and Jaden McDaniels added 19 points, while Julius Randle scored 18. Finch mentioned that Randle played despite being “pretty severely” sick.
The Wolves struggled in the first half, especially when Edwards was off the floor. When he subbed out late in the first quarter, the Wolves trailed 28-24. Upon his return during the second quarter, they were down 48-32. The small lineups Finch used couldn’t find chemistry, and some combinations hadn’t played together this season. Philadelphia’s sharp three-point shooting helped them maintain their lead through the first half.
Turning Points and Strategic Adjustments
The Wolves found some momentum when Edwards and McDaniels returned to the floor, keeping the game within reach. They pulled within 68-58 at halftime. Despite entering the game with the worst net rating in the league in the third quarter, the 76ers won the third quarter by six points. Maxey scored 13 points in the quarter, including a buzzer-beater dunk over McDaniels and Edwards.
“He’s incredible, man. He already knows he one of my favorite players to watch in the league. He dunked on me today, too. I don’t really like that,” Edwards said with a smile. “He played great, man.”
The Wolves never seriously threatened in the fourth quarter. Finch expressed frustration with the team’s defensive strategy, which involved closing out too short on open shooters. This led to a 21-for-37 performance from three-point range for the 76ers.
“We talked about the guys we needed to get up to take away their airspace, and then once they had seen enough go in, then they made tough ones,” Finch said.
Lineup Changes and Player Contributions
With Gobert suspended and Reid injured, Finch started rookie Joan Beringer at center. When Beringer got into early foul trouble, T.J. Shannon was called upon for his first action since December 25. Shannon recently recovered from a foot injury. Reid’s shoulder soreness, which affected him in January, shouldn’t keep him out for long.
In the third quarter, Beringer didn’t start, and Ayo Dosunmu took his place. Beringer fouled out after playing 17 minutes. “It hurt, certainly hurt,” Finch said of Beringer’s foul trouble. “Then we had to go small and kept getting smaller. But you know, that wasn’t the sole reason for the result.”
Additional Notes and Future Schedule
Mike Conley played his first minutes since re-signing with the team after the All-Star break. He entered the game in the second quarter and received a standing ovation from the crowd. In the third quarter, he was the first person Finch brought off the bench. Conley finished the night with 15 minutes, no points, and four assists.
“Mike was great,” Finch said. “Competed on the ball, stood his guy up, gives you everything he got. Probably should have played a little bit more.”
The Wolves will head on the road for their next three games, starting with a game at Portland on Tuesday, February 24. They will play at the Clippers on Thursday and at Denver on Sunday.
