Timberwolves and 76ers Clash with Key Players Sidelined

Minnesota and Philadelphia face potential absences of star players Embiid and Edwards ahead of crucial late-season matchup.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:55pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes of color.The late-season clash between the Timberwolves and 76ers showcases the depth and adaptability of both teams as they navigate key player absences.Philadelphia Today

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers are set to face off on Friday night, but both teams could be missing their star players. The 76ers' Joel Embiid is likely out due to illness, while the Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards may miss the game with an illness and knee injury. Despite the potential absences, both teams have depth and have shown the ability to win without their top players.

Why it matters

This late-season matchup between the Timberwolves and 76ers holds significant playoff implications, as both teams are jockeying for position in their respective conference standings. The outcome could impact their seeding and potential postseason matchups.

The details

The 76ers (42-34) currently sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, while the Timberwolves (46-30) are sixth in the West. Philadelphia is coming off a 153-131 win over the Wizards, led by Paul George's season-high 39 points. Minnesota is on a three-game road trip, having lost to the Pistons 113-108 in their most recent game without Edwards. The teams' previous matchup on Feb. 22 saw the 76ers win 135-108, with Tyrese Maxey scoring 39 points.

  • The 76ers and Timberwolves will face off on Friday, April 3, 2026.
  • Embiid missed Philadelphia's most recent game on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
  • Edwards has been out for the past six games for Minnesota, last playing on March 27, 2026.

The players

Joel Embiid

The 76ers' star center who is averaging 26.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game this season, but has been limited to 36 games due to various injuries and illnesses.

Anthony Edwards

The Timberwolves' leading scorer, averaging 29.3 points per game, who has missed the last six games with a knee injury.

Paul George

The 76ers' veteran forward who has played in just 31 games this season, mostly due to a 25-game suspension, but has returned in impressive fashion, scoring a season-high 39 points in his last outing.

Tyrese Maxey

The 76ers' young guard who scored 39 points and had 8 assists in the teams' previous matchup on February 22.

Chris Finch

The Timberwolves' head coach who has praised his team's recent offensive outputs despite the absences of key players.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, that time off. That time off was the time I needed for my body. That's been really what unlocked me to kind of play free and play aggressive.”

— Paul George

“We know we can score the ball. We got a lot of guys that can get 20. A lot of guys that get 20. Guys off the bench that can get 20, get 30.”

— Tyrese Maxey

“We've been playing with good pace. I think we've been moving the ball well. We don't have a lot of guys who can punch the gaps and get into the paint -- maybe that's not their game -- but we've missed some really good looks, too.”

— Chris Finch, Timberwolves Head Coach

What’s next

The outcome of Friday's game could have significant implications for the playoff positioning of both the Timberwolves and 76ers in their respective conferences. Fans and analysts will be closely watching to see if the teams' star players are able to suit up, and how their supporting casts perform in their absence.

The takeaway

This late-season matchup between the Timberwolves and 76ers showcases the depth and resilience of both teams, as they have found ways to win without their top players. The potential absences of Embiid and Edwards add an extra layer of intrigue, as the supporting casts will have an opportunity to step up and make an impact on the outcome.