Embiid, Towns ejected as Sixers rout T’Wolves 117-95

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 19 points and got into a brawl with Karl-Anthony Towns that sent both players to the showers early, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-95 Wednesday night for their fourth straight win to begin the season.

The Sixers were leading 75-55 midway through the third quarter when Embiid and Towns went at it. The two big men have a history of talking trash to each other. After they got tangled under the basket, Embiid shoved Towns, who answered with a punch that missed as both men fell to the floor. Ben Simmons jumped in and forcefully held Towns down as other players and coaches ran onto the court to separate everyone.

Embiid and Towns were ejected after a video review. Embiid shadowboxed to the crowd’s delight on his way back to the locker room. Fans responded with “MVP!” chants.

Both teams entered 3-0. The Spurs, at 3-0, are the only other unbeaten team in the NBA.

Andrew Wiggins scored 19 points, Towns had 13 points and former Sixer Robert Covington had seven for the Timberwolves.

Tobias Harris scored 18 points, Furkan Korkmaz had 17 off the bench and Simmons added 16 for Philadelphia. Al Horford grabbed 16 rebounds to go with 12 points.

Minnesota led 11-9 midway through the first quarter before Harris hit a 3-pointer. Harris followed with a driving layup and Philadelphia led the rest of the way.

Embiid punctuated a dominant first half with a 3 to put the Sixers up 63-42 going into the break.

SIGHTINGS

New Phillies manager Joe Girardi sat courtside in the first half. … Eagles rookie running back Miles Sanders rang the bell and teammates Carson Wentz, Alshon Jeffery and several other players watched from a suite.

TIP-INS

Timberwolves: Covington got some applause in pregame introductions. He was traded along with forward Dario Saric to Minnesota last year for Jimmy Butler. … Towns shot 3 of 5 from 3-point range. … Jeff Teague scored 15 points.

76ers: Matisse Thybulle had three of his four steals in the first half and is the fifth rookie over the past 25 years with multiple steals in each of his first four games. … G Trey Burke wasn’t available because of illness. … Embiid only played 20 minutes and still led the team in scoring. … James Ennis had 11 rebounds in 18 minutes.

UP NEXT

Timberwolves: Visit Washington on Saturday

76ers: Open a four-game trip at Portland on Saturday.