Tyrese Maxey Shines: Key Takeaways from 76ers’ NBA Play-In Win Over Magic

Tyrese Maxey scored a team-high 31 points to lift the Philadelphia 76ers to a 109-97 win over the Orlando Magic. The victory came in Wednesday’s NBA Play-In tournament. Philadelphia earned the East’s No. 7 seed and will travel to Boston for a first-round matchup with the No. 2-seeded Celtics.

Game summary

Maxey finished with 31 points and six assists. Five Sixers reached double figures in scoring.

• Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 19 points.
• VJ Edgecombe added 19 points and 11 rebounds.
• Paul George finished with 16 points.
• Andre Drummond had 14 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks off the bench.

Drummond drilled a corner three that helped close out the contest. The Sixers closed stronger after a late Orlando surge.

Key takeaways

Tyrese Maxey shines as the primary playmaker. His late scoring run proved decisive.

• Maxey answered a fourth-quarter rally by scoring seven straight points. The run restored Philadelphia’s cushion after Anthony Black’s 3 cut the lead to 87-86.
• Edgecombe’s defense disrupted Orlando. He created turnovers and deflections throughout the game.
• Without Joel Embiid, the Maxey-Edgecombe backcourt carried Philadelphia’s offense and defense.

Numbers that mattered

Desmond Bane led Orlando with 34 points. He made four 3-pointers.

• Paolo Banchero struggled, making 7 of 22 shots and committing six turnovers.
• Franz Wagner scored 12 points.
• Banchero and Wagner combined for 30 points on 12-of-33 shooting and were 0-for-7 from deep.
• Outside of Bane, Orlando sank only three 3s.

What it means for both teams

The 76ers advance to face Boston in the opening round. The series opens Sunday afternoon.

Orlando returns home for a win-or-go-home Play-In game Friday against the Charlotte Hornets. The winner will face the East’s top-seeded Detroit Pistons.

Outlook for the Magic

Orlando finished 25-15 at home this season. Still, concerns remain about spacing and perimeter shooting.

Coaching stability appears in question. The team may make changes after the postseason. Adding more outside shooting will likely be an offseason priority.

Filmogaz.com will monitor developments as the playoffs begin. The Maxey-Edgecombe pairing gives Philadelphia a clear path to challenge Boston.