The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-103 on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Xfinity Mobile Arena, with Paul George leading all scorers with 23 points and Joel Embiid delivering an all-around line in a game that turned on a dominant third quarter from Philadelphia.
Quarter-by-quarter breakdown
First quarter
Both teams opened at a deliberate pace, and Philadelphia came away with a 19-17 edge after one. The 76ers did enough on the defensive end to keep Minnesota from finding an early rhythm, while the Timberwolves struggled to convert consistently despite generating shots.
Second quarter
Minnesota responded with its best stretch of the first half, outscoring Philadelphia 30-22 in the second period to take a 47-41 lead into halftime. The Timberwolves moved the ball more effectively in the quarter and got needed scoring support, while the 76ers cooled off after their solid opening 12 minutes.
Third quarter
The game changed completely in the third. Philadelphia put up 42 points in the period and outscored Minnesota 42-24 to take control. The 76ers were sharper in transition, more efficient in the half court, and consistently created quality looks. That swing flipped a six-point halftime deficit into an 83-71 Philadelphia lead entering the fourth.
Fourth quarter
Both teams scored 32 points in the final quarter, which allowed the 76ers to maintain the separation they built after halftime. Minnesota continued to compete and had productive stretches offensively, but Philadelphia answered enough possessions to hold off any late push and close out a 12-point home win.
Key performers
Paul George, 76ers: George led all scorers with 23 points and gave Philadelphia steady offense throughout the night. His scoring helped anchor the team during the decisive second-half run.
Joel Embiid, 76ers: Embiid posted 19 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks in one of the most complete performances of the game. He influenced the result on both ends and helped Philadelphia control the glass.
Tyrese Maxey, 76ers: Maxey led Philadelphia with eight assists as the 76ers finished with 27 team assists. His playmaking was important during the third-quarter surge.
Julius Randle, Timberwolves: Randle scored 21 points to lead Minnesota. He was one of the Timberwolves’ most reliable offensive options across the night.
Bones Hyland, Timberwolves: Hyland also scored 21 points and provided needed backcourt production, helping Minnesota stay within reach after halftime.
Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves: Gobert grabbed 16 rebounds and gave Minnesota a strong presence on the interior, but the Timberwolves could not match Philadelphia’s efficiency.
NerdSports Stat: Philadelphia was outscored by 8 points across the first, second, and fourth quarters combined, but still won by 12 because of its 18-point advantage in the third quarter alone.
Game analysis
This game came down to efficiency and the third-quarter swing. Minnesota attempted 101 field goals to Philadelphia’s 82, but the 76ers made better use of their possessions. Philadelphia shot 50.0% from the field, while Minnesota finished at 37.6%. That gap offset the Timberwolves’ higher shot volume and helped the 76ers turn their best offensive stretch into a comfortable margin.
The 76ers also had the edge at the foul line and on the boards. Philadelphia went 24-of-28 on free throws, good for 85.7%, while Minnesota finished 13-of-20. The 76ers also won the rebounding battle 53-43, with Embiid’s 13 boards helping set the tone inside. That combination of rebounding, free-throw efficiency, and balanced playmaking gave Philadelphia a stable foundation once it found momentum.
Minnesota did connect on 14 three-pointers, five more than Philadelphia, but the overall shooting numbers were difficult to overcome. The Timberwolves shot 32.6% from deep and got solid scoring from Randle and Hyland, yet their second-half defense could not slow Philadelphia after the break. Once the 76ers took control in the third quarter, they were able to manage the game without giving back the lead.
Closing context
The win moves Philadelphia to 43-34, an important late-season result as the Eastern Conference race continues to tighten. Minnesota fell to 46-31, a missed chance to strengthen its position in the Western Conference standings. With only a handful of games left, this one could matter for playoff seeding and tiebreak positioning on both sides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Philadelphia 76ers defeated Minnesota Timberwolves 115-103 on April 3, 2026.
Paul George scored 23 points on 50.0% shooting.
After the win, Philadelphia 76ers sits 43-34 in the Eastern Conference.
Joel Embiid was the standout performer with 19 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 blocks.
