Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - The Minnesota Timberwolves played the role of spoiler on Saturday night, overshadowing the return of Joel Embiid by beating the Philadelphia 76ers on the road.

The T’Wolves needed two overtimes, but they edged out a 121-120 win over the Sixers for their sixth win in seven games while setting up Philly on a two-game skid.

The Sixers came into Saturday night’s matchup welcoming back their big man, Joel Embiid (27), who has been away from the team for nine games while under the NBA’s Covid-19 protocols.

Philly had been struggling during his absence, only winning two of those nine games, and Embiid's comeback, though welcome, ultimately didn't get the happy ending the Sixers were hoping for.

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The T’Wolves stormed out to a 35-20 lead after the first quarter and kept that 15-point lead going into the half.

The Sixers got tough and held the T’Wolves to only 16 points in the third quarter and scored enough points in the fourth to force overtime.

Both squads battled through double-overtime, with Minnesota squeaking out the one-point win.

T’Wolves point guard D'Angelo Russell (25) didn’t outscore the field – that honor belonged to the returning Embiid with a monster 42 points – but he was Minnesota’s main man on Saturday night.

Russell made a couple of crucial plays, a steal, and an assist in the final seconds of the second overtime to help his team come out victorious.

He shot well overall, 13 of 25 from the field including 6-for-10 from three-point range for 35 points, eight assists, and four rebounds.

Despite the painful loss, the Sixers will hope to finally get back to settling into the role they were expected to fill at the beginning of the season – contenders for the Eastern Conference crown.

They’re coming up on a quarter of the regular season with an even 10-10 win-loss record, not quite mingling among the East’s worst, but still below expectations.

Embiid hasn’t been able to practice with the team while he was in isolation, but he still managed to outscore everyone on the court. Once he really gets back into his usual groove, look for Philly to climb in the standings.

On Monday, the T’Wolves are back at home to take on the Pacers while the Sixers will face the Magic in Philly.