A statement night. Tyrese Maxey lit up the Target Center and carried the Philadelphia 76ers to a 135-108 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. A decisive victory that halts a four-game skid and restores confidence to Philadelphia’s ambitions.

Maxey was simply unstoppable: 39 points on 16-of-28 shooting, playing at a blistering pace with the constant sense he could score every time he shifted gears. But the play that ignited the game came in the third quarter, when he soared to the rim and dunked over Anthony Edwards. A powerful, sudden finish that delivered the definitive blow.

Edwards, who finished with 28 points and 7 turnovers, has always been direct and fiercely competitive. He didn’t shy away postgame. Instead, he smiled and acknowledged the performance of the opponent with whom he shared last week’s All-Star Game:

He’s incredible. He already knows he’s one of my favorite players to watch in this league. Today he dunked on me, too. I don’t really like that part. But he played great.

Anthony Edwards

I didn’t know he was going to the rim. I just turned sideways. I thought he was going to lay it up, but he decided to dunk it. It was quick, almost sudden. I didn’t even have a chance to stop him. But yeah, that’s why we play this game. I’m not mad about it.

Anthony Edwards

No drama from Ant – a player more accustomed to delivering those kinds of dunks than being on the receiving end. Overall, the loss doesn’t diminish Minnesota, which was without Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid. Significant absences, certainly, but they don’t take away from the solidity and impact of the performance delivered by the Sixers.

For the 76ers, it’s a win that carries more weight than the final margin. They rediscovered confidence, rhythm and, above all, an All-Star version of Maxey. When he plays at this level, he changes a team’s trajectory – and perhaps even the perception of a season.