MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — James Harden hit a stepback 3-pointer during a foul, a move seen countless times from the 10-time All-Star and 2018 MVP. His new teammate Joel Embiid raised both hands and met Harden in midcourt for a hug.
Philadelphia loved seeing Harden's 3-and-ons eventually helping the 76ers, and they enjoyed the first performance of general manager Daryl Morey's experiment to put the two stars together.
Harden's 76-year-old debuted 27 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds, Joel Embiid added 34 points and 10 rebounds, and Philadelphia beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 133-102 on Friday night.
"We're selfless, we just want to win," Harden said. “We have people from top to bottom who feel the same way on the court. Great things are about to happen more and more often. My job is to come into this team and connect everyone."
The wait proved worth it after Harden missed his first two games with a 76 after being traded to Brooklyn with a hamstring injury. The results were promising, especially where Embiid and Harden thrived on the free-throw line.
Embiid, who made 21 free throws in a double-overtime loss to Minnesota in November, was 11 of 13 from the line. Harden was 8 out of 9 as the 76ers were 30 out of 36 overall.
"That's what I expected," Embiid said, smiling as the two shared a postgame press conference table. "I've never been open like this in my life. Seriously, it's passing like I didn't even expect it and it was just coming."
Karl-Anthony Towns led Minnesota with 25 points, and D'Angelo Russell had 21. But the Timberwolves couldn't repeat the dramatic win in Philadelphia earlier this season.
"The most expensive thing tonight, and it may not be on the stat sheet, we were looking for shortcuts overnight," said Minnesota coach Chris Finch. "We come down, a pass, try to play a home run on offense. And more than anything it was our offense that let us down, really."
The 76ers didn't have Harden -- or Ben Simmons -- who was traded to Brooklyn in November along with two first-round draft picks for Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and Harden.
Harden, the 2018 MVP, had not played since February 2 due to an injury, which delayed his pairing with Embiid. Philadelphia look to finally break into the Eastern Conference, a top-tier pair and a strong third piece in Tobias Harris.
The 76ers have won four out of five.
In Philadelphia's first game after the All-Star break, Embiid controlled the first quarter from the line. He was shooting 8 out of 7 free throws and had 10 points and six rebounds in the quarter.
The 76ers used 15-0 runs to take a 16-6 lead and were never left behind.
Minnesota went 51-48 late in the second quarter from a 119-114 win over Memphis the night before. But Philadelphia closed the half at 15-1 when Mattis Thiebull dunked a putback just before the buzzer from a missed 3-pointer from Harris.
"I think the way we lost tonight, I feel like we've taken a step backwards," Russell said. "Tonight, we didn't lose right."
Misunderstood
After the game Harden was asked why he probably enjoys a reputation as a bad teammate.
"I don't know why," said Harden. "It's for the media. The media says so. I feel like I'm one of the best teammates the NBA has seen on and off the court."
Several 76 people, including coach Doc Rivers, have spoken about Harden's high level of communication since his arrival in Philadelphia. Harden underestimated the situation regarding business.
"Just because the current situation happened, whatever happened, happened," Harden said. "It doesn't mean I'm a bad partner. I, personally, feel like I need to do what's best for my career, and help myself and be happy. It doesn't matter if I'm a bad teammate or not."
Tip-ins
76ers: Harris had just six points, but his defense on Towns forced an off-night shootout for the Timberwolves All-Star. Tyrese Maxi scored 28 runs. ... Coach Doc Rivers would not reveal his starting lineup before the game, but Harden started with Embiid, Harris, Maxi and Thiebull. ...Philadelphia was 19 out of 39 out of 3.
Timberwolves: G Michael Beasley was out with a non-COVID-19 illness. ... Minnesota had 16 turnovers, 11 in the first half. ... the city was 3 out of 14 for three quarters from the field.
Next
76ers: New York to open home and home series on Sunday.
Timberwolves: Monday Night in Cleveland.