![\"NBA:](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/28298703.jpg\")
Feb 20, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) dribbles by Dallas Mavericks forward Caleb Martin (16) in the third quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nThe sliding Philadelphia 76ers have their work cut out for them as they endeavor to stop Anthony Edwards and the red-hot Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis on Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n It will be the second leg of a back-to-back road set for the Sixers, whose losing streak stretched to four — all by double digits — with a 126-111 defeat against the lowly Pelicans in New Orleans on Saturday.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse admits his team, which has been without Joel Embiid (right knee and shin injury) for all four of those losses, is in a difficult space.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “It’s tough,” he said. “It’s really tough. Certainly our toughest moment of the season, for sure — all year, without question. We’ve got to get back to being able to play the 48 (minutes).”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Tyrese Maxey, who is averaging 28.9 points per game, had a game-high 27 in New Orleans. But his haul came on a ragged 9 of 23 from the floor, including 2 of 11 from deep.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Across his past seven games, Maxey has shot 41.4% from the field and 25.4% from 3-point range.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n He has cooled off after his blistering start to the season, with opposition sides now throwing extra attention his way.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “Obviously, he’s getting a lot of focus,” Nurse said. “They (opponents) are putting two on the basketball a lot, they’re parking another defender in the lane, so there’s a lot that he’s looking at there. … Earlier in the year, he was getting freer movement than he’s ever had, and we just haven’t been able to find that (since).”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n In Minnesota, Edwards bumped his season scoring average to a career-best 29.5 as he continues to add new weapons to his burgeoning repertoire.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n Fresh off being crowned All-Star Game MVP, Edwards poured in 40 points to lead the Timberwolves to a 122-111 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in Minneapolis on Friday.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n It was Minnesota’s third straight win and the 27th 40-plus haul of Edwards’ career.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n His performance in the clutch against Dallas stood out.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Subbing in with the score locked at 103 midway through the fourth quarter, Edwards single-handedly outscored the Mavericks 14-8 down the stretch, with a combination of 3-pointers, drives, pullups and turnarounds.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “Ant was awesome,” Wolves coach Chris Finch said. “He finished the game like he can. I thought his shot selection was really good for the most part — took the right shots. In clutch time, he got to his spots, pretty simply.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Edwards, who had been accused of settling predictably for 3s in big moments, is mixing it up more now.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n He credited Finch’s tough love for him extracting the best form of his career.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “Finchy, I’m not going to lie, he’s the toughest coach I’ve ever had,” Edwards said. “But it works out in my favor because he tells me what I need to work on and what I need to get better at. The past summer, he told me I needed a go-to shot at the end of games. And I was working on that all summer, finding my spots, getting to the spots I’m comfortable in. He’s a big part of my success, honestly.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Rudy Gobert posted 22 points and 17 rebounds against the Mavericks, but his flagrant foul in the second quarter — his seventh of the season — triggered a one-game suspension, sidelining him for the 76ers clash.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Philadelphia and Minnesota have met 68 times overall, for a 34-all split. The Timberwolves took both encounters last season.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n