The Philadelphia 76ers (30-26) face the Minnesota Timberwolves (35-22) in an interconference matchup on Sunday, February 22, 2026. The Sixers, sixth in the Eastern Conference but on a four-game losing streak without Joel Embiid in recent outings, visit a surging Timberwolves team that’s won three straight and holds the sixth spot in the West. Minnesota enters as heavy favorites, leveraging their home-court advantage and defensive prowess against a depleted Philadelphia squad. Below is a detailed breakdown, including key factors and betting recommendations.
Venue Location
Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
This 18,798-capacity arena, home to the Timberwolves since 1990, has been a fortress for Minnesota with a 20-8 home record this season.
Tipoff is scheduled 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PST).
The game will air on FDSN (for Minnesota) and NBCS-PH (for Philadelphia), with streaming available on NBA League Pass.
Recent Team Forms
The Timberwolves are 3-2 in their last five, riding a three-game win streak with dominant home performances. The 76ers are 1-4, mired in a four-game skid with blowout losses.
Here’s a summary of their last five games:
| Team | Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| PHI | Feb 21, 2026 | @ New Orleans Pelicans | L 111-126 | Tyrese Maxey: 27 pts; Defensive collapse, allowed 126 pts. |
| PHI | Feb 19, 2026 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 107-117 | Maxey: 25 pts; Fourth straight loss, poor shooting (38.4 FG%). |
| PHI | Feb 11, 2026 | vs. New York Knicks | L 89-138 | Offensive low (37.5 FG%); Blown out at home. |
| PHI | Feb 9, 2026 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 118-135 | Maxey: 30 pts; Allowed 135 pts, defensive woes continue. |
| PHI | Feb 7, 2026 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 109-103 | Efficient shooting (47.3 FG%); Snapped skid. |
| MIN | Feb 20, 2026 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 122-111 | Anthony Edwards: 40 pts; Third straight win. |
| MIN | Feb 11, 2026 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 133-109 | Balanced scoring; Held POR to 109 pts. |
| MIN | Feb 9, 2026 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 138-116 | High-scoring victory; Efficient offense. |
| MIN | Feb 8, 2026 | vs. LA Clippers | L 96-115 | Defensive struggle; Low scoring. |
| MIN | Feb 6, 2026 | vs. New Orleans Pelicans | L 115-119 | Close loss; Turnovers key. |
Philadelphia is 1-4 in their last five, averaging 106.8 PPG while allowing 126.6 PPG in losses.
Minnesota is 3-2, averaging 125.4 PPG in wins with strong defense.
Injury Report
Injuries heavily favor Minnesota, with Philadelphia missing key players and Embiid’s status uncertain.
- Philadelphia 76ers:
- Questionable: Joel Embiid (right knee injury management).
- Out: Paul George (out until late March).
- The Sixers rely on Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr., but absences remove 50+ PPG potential.
- Minnesota Timberwolves:
- No reported injuries; full lineup available including Donte DiVincenzo, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert.
Key
Player Matchups
Without Embiid (questionable), Philadelphia’s offense hinges on Maxey, but Minnesota’s depth creates mismatches:
- Tyrese Maxey (PHI) vs. Anthony Edwards (MIN): Maxey (28.9 PPG, 5th in NBA) vs. Edwards (29.5 PPG, 3rd in NBA); Battle of scoring guards, with Edwards’ efficiency (48% FG) giving MIN the edge.
- Kelly Oubre Jr. (PHI) vs. Julius Randle (MIN): Oubre (20 PPG recently) vs. Randle (22 PPG, 9 RPG); Randle’s rebounding could dominate.
- Andre Drummond (PHI) vs. Rudy Gobert (MIN): Drummond’s physicality (if starting) vs. Gobert’s rim protection (13 RPG, 2.5 BPG); Key interior clash.
- Other Notes: V.J. Edgecombe (PHI rookie) faces Jaden McDaniels’ defense; Minnesota’s bench (Naz Reid) exploits PHI’s thin frontcourt.
Series History
The all-time series is tied at 34-34.
In the last 10 meetings, it’s 5-5.
Recent games: PHI won 127-113 on Dec. 20, 2023; MIN won 112-99 on Nov. 22, 2023. Philadelphia is 15-5 ATS in the last 20 head-to-heads, but MIN holds a 4-1 edge at home in recent years.
Betting Trends
- Trends: Philadelphia is 1-5 ATS in their last six and 0-2 ATS as 8.5+ underdogs.
Minnesota is 8-3 SU in their last 11 but 2-5 ATS in their last seven.
The under has hit in 18 of Minnesota’s last 25 home games and 11 of Philadelphia’s last 14 at Target Center.
Game Odds
Philadelphia Sixers 240.5
Minnesota Timberwolves – 8.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, February 21, 2026
