76ers Defeat Timberwolves 115-103 Behind George's 23 Points

Embiid returns to lineup, Maxey and Oubre Jr. also score 21 points each

Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:34am

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A fragmented, geometric painting in bold colors depicts the action of a basketball game, with players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes that convey the intensity and movement of the sport.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of the 76ers' hard-fought victory over the Timberwolves.Philadelphia Today

The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-103 on Friday night, led by Paul George's 23 points. Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. each scored 21 points, while Joel Embiid had 19 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists in his return to the lineup. The 76ers outscored the Timberwolves 42-24 in the third quarter to take control of the game.

Why it matters

This win keeps the 76ers in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings with five games left in the regular season. The Timberwolves remain in sixth place in the Western Conference. Both teams are jockeying for playoff positioning as the season winds down.

The details

The 76ers trailed 70-68 with 2:50 left in the third quarter, but then went on a 15-1 run to take an 83-71 lead into the fourth quarter. Maxey had 6 points during that stretch, and Quentin Grimes finished it with back-to-back fast-break layups. George's 3-pointer with 6:30 left in the game gave the 76ers a game-high 17-point lead, though the Timberwolves were able to cut the deficit to 6 points in the final 1:30 before Oubre hit consecutive 3-pointers to seal the win.

  • The game was played on Friday, April 4, 2026.
  • The 76ers outscored the Timberwolves 42-24 in the third quarter.

The players

Paul George

A forward for the Philadelphia 76ers who scored a team-high 23 points in the game.

Tyrese Maxey

A guard for the Philadelphia 76ers who scored 21 points.

Kelly Oubre Jr.

A forward for the Philadelphia 76ers who scored 21 points, including two key 3-pointers late in the game.

Joel Embiid

A center for the Philadelphia 76ers who had 19 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists in his return to the lineup.

Julius Randle

A forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves who scored a team-high 21 points.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to come out strong in the second half and take control of the game. The guys really stepped up and made some big plays to pull away.”

— Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers Forward

What’s next

The 76ers will host the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night, while the Timberwolves will host the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.

The takeaway

This win was an important one for the 76ers as they look to solidify their playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. The team showed resilience by responding to the Timberwolves' third-quarter push with a dominant run of their own. With Embiid back in the lineup, the 76ers appear primed for a strong finish to the regular season.