Quentin Grimes dropped 17 in the fourth but Anthony Edwards poured in 18 in the final frame as the Timberwolves escaped with a win over the Sixers.
Sixers Bell Ringer Season Standings:
Tyrese Maxey – 16
Quentin Grimes – 10
Joel Embiid – 8
Jared McCain – 8
Paul George – 7
Justin Edwards – 6
Kelly Oubre Jr – 5
Adem Bona – 4
Guerschon Yabusele – 4
Ricky Council IV – 2
KJ Martin – 2
Jared Butler – 1
Jeff Dowtin Jr – 1
Andre Drummond – 1
Lonnie Walker – 1
No One – 1
Don’t tell Quentin Grimes the Sixers are tanking.
The dynamic guard came on late, but All-Star Anthony Edwards was just a little bit better as the Minnesota Timberwolves escaped the Wells Fargo Center with a 114-109 win.
The first half of this one was a bit of a slog. Neither team could buy a three, combining to shoot 11-of-39 from deep. Grimes got off to an incredibly slow start, scoring only two points in the first half. Even Edwards wasn’t exactly lighting it up, going just 3-of-8 for 13 points. The Sixers were able to hang around, trailing 55-51 heading into the locker room.
It looked like Minnesota was about to take the game over in the third quarter, but the Sixers kept coming. After the Timberwolves built their lead to as large as seven, the Sixers managed to claw back and go up one. They were down 83-82 heading into the final frame.
It was a similar story in the fourth — Minnesota looked to be putting the game away, stretching its lead out to 11. Then Grimes went nuts, at one point putting the Sixers back up by two. But it was just too much Edwards down the stretch as the superstar guard buried an extraordinary shot with seven seconds left to end any type of Sixers comeback.
The loss drops the Sixers to 23-55, three more losses than the Brooklyn Nets for the fifth-best lottery odds. Now losers of 11 straight, Philadelphia will head to Miami to take on the Heat Monday night. For now, let’s talk Bell Ringer.
Quentin Grimes: 28 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
It didn’t seem like Grimes would be a candidate for Bell Ringer early on. The Timberwolves boast one of the most stout defenses in the NBA and it appeared they had Grimes bottled up. He scored only two points in the first half. It’s also been fair to wonder if Grimes has been wearing down a bit considering he’s playing more minutes in a bigger role than he ever has in the NBA.
Grimes was able to get going in the third, getting downhill and getting to the rim, even finishing against Rudy Gobert. It was the fourth quarter where he really went crazy, going 5-of-6 from three, including a stretch where he hit three in a row. It looked like Grimes could ruin the team’s tanking plans.
Alas, Edwards’ heater was just slightly better. Still, it was a terrific finish for Grimes. He went for 28 points, shooting 10-of-18 from the field and 6-of-10 from deep. It would’ve been easy to chalk this up to not being his night, but credit to Grimes for battling.
Lonnie Walker IV: 18 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 block
Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Before Grimes went nuts, Lonnie Walker IV really kept the Sixers afloat. Against such a tough defensive team, it was impressive to see Walker get to his spots and either pull the trigger or set up his teammates. He scored 11 in the first half and his creation ability really stood out.
He tailed off a bit in the second half, but that was likely in part because Grimes took over. He went 6-of-12 from the field and 3-of-8 from three. Walker has always been billed as a bucket-getter, but his playmaking for others has stood out. Still only 26 years old, there could be room for a guy like Walker next season, depending on how things shake out. He’s looked more comfortable with each passing game.
Guerschon Yabusele: 19 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
What else is there to say about Guerschon Yabusele? The guy is playing his ass off every night. You could tell he had a little extra something for fellow countrymen Gobert. He was able to finish around his French national teammate multiple times.
What’s so impressive about Yabusele is that he just always seem to find a way to contribute. If his shot isn’t falling, he does damage in the paint. If he’s not scoring, he’s setting great screens and throwing great passes. On Saturday, he was a big help defensively, collecting three steals and playing Minnesota physical and tough all night.
Here’s hoping Yabusele is back.