The Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away late to secure a 126-112 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.
Naz Reid led Minnesota with 23 points, while Anthony Edwards added 18 as the Timberwolves (34-29) took control in the fourth quarter. Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributed 20 points off the bench, and Julius Randle finished with 16 in his second game back from injury.
Minnesota opened the final period with a 25-9 run, turning a close contest into a comfortable win. Mike Conley’s half-court buzzer-beater to end the third provided a momentum boost before Alexander-Walker hit a three-pointer to start the fourth.
Philadelphia (21-40) was without Tyrese Maxey due to a lower back strain and played its third game since confirming Joel Embiid would miss the rest of the season. Paul George returned after a one-game absence but managed just seven points on 3-of-11 shooting.
Quentin Grimes led the 76ers with 30 points, continuing his strong play since arriving from Dallas. Kelly Oubre Jr. added 24, but Philadelphia struggled in the second game of a back-to-back after losing to Portland the night before.
Minnesota shot 56.8% from the field and hit 18 three-pointers, including five from Reid. The Timberwolves had 19 turnovers but committed none in the fourth until the final minute.
Despite the win, Minnesota remains in a tight Western Conference playoff race, tied with the Clippers and Kings for seventh place.
