Maxey Erupts for 39 as 76ers Rout Timberwolves, Earn Praise from Edwards

A matchup that looked competitive on paper quickly turned into a showcase for Tyrese Maxey on Sunday night, as the Philadelphia 76ers rolled past the Minnesota Timberwolves, 135–108, at Target Center. From the opening quarter to the final horn, Maxey’s speed and shot-making overwhelmed Minnesota’s defense.

Philadelphia entered the game eager to halt a four-game losing streak that had stalled its momentum in the Eastern Conference. Instead of grinding out a narrow win, the 76ers delivered one of their sharpest offensive outings of the season, shooting efficiently and moving the ball with purpose.

Minnesota, meanwhile, was short-handed. The absence of Rudy Gobert due to suspension and Naz Reid because of a shoulder injury thinned the frontcourt rotation and left the Timberwolves scrambling to protect the paint.

That vulnerability became Maxey’s playground. By the time the third quarter ended, he had already turned the game into a personal highlight reel — one that even an opposing star could only admire.

1. Maxey Sets the Tone Early

Maxey wasted little time asserting himself. He attacked off the dribble, split defenders in transition and found space for midrange pull-ups and corner threes. Every possession seemed to carry the same message: push the pace and make Minnesota chase. The numbers told the story. He finished with a game-high 39 points on 16-of-28 shooting, adding three rebounds, eight assists and two steals. It wasn’t just volume scoring — it was efficient, controlled and timely, the kind of performance that steadies a team looking to regain confidence. Philadelphia fed off that energy. Teammates filled the lanes, knocked down open looks and tightened defensively, turning stops into easy baskets. The ball rarely stuck, and the offense flowed with rhythm that had been missing during the losing streak. By halftime, the 76ers had seized control. Minnesota’s defense struggled to contain dribble penetration, and every Maxey burst to the rim forced rotations that opened opportunities for others.

2. The Dunk That Shifted Momentum

The defining moment came in the third quarter. With Philadelphia already building a cushion, Maxey exploded downhill on a fast break. In a split second, he rose above Anthony Edwards and another defender, throwing down an emphatic dunk that stunned the crowd. It wasn’t just two points — it was a jolt of momentum. The bench leapt to its feet, and the Timberwolves’ body language sagged. Plays like that can tilt a game emotionally, and this one did exactly that. For Edwards, it was an unfortunate front-row view. He later admitted he expected a layup attempt and turned his head briefly, only to watch Maxey elevate and finish before he could react. The speed of the play left no time for recovery. Still, the Timberwolves star didn’t hesitate to give credit. Edwards called Maxey one of his favorite players to watch and praised the guard’s explosiveness, showing the mutual respect that often exists among the league’s brightest young talents.

3. Respect in Defeat

Edwards did his part offensively, finishing with 28 points on 11-of-19 shooting while grabbing nine rebounds and adding three assists, two steals and two blocks. Yet the night also included seven turnovers, a sign of the pressure Philadelphia applied. Without Gobert and Reid anchoring the interior, Minnesota struggled to find defensive stability. Rotations came late, and second-chance opportunities piled up for the 76ers. The Timberwolves’ recent three-game winning streak slipped away as the deficit widened. For Philadelphia, the win carried added significance. Improving to 31–26, the 76ers halted their slide and regained footing in the playoff race. Performances like Maxey’s suggest the team still has another gear when its backcourt leader is aggressive. Minnesota will look to regroup quickly with another matchup on the horizon, but Sunday served as a reminder of how quickly a game can shift when a scorer catches fire — and how even opponents can appreciate greatness in the moment.