76ers beat Magic 109-97 in East Play-In opener

The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Orlando Magic 109-97 on Wednesday night in the NBA East Play-In game, securing the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference. Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 31 points and six assists, helping the 76ers take control late after a competitive first three quarters.

Quarter-by-quarter breakdown

First quarter

Philadelphia opened with a solid offensive rhythm and edged Orlando 28-24 in the first period. The 76ers got an early lift from Maxey’s pace in the half court, while the Magic stayed close behind balanced scoring and steady work on the glass.

Second quarter

The teams matched each other 31-31 in the second, keeping the game tight going into halftime. Orlando found production from Desmond Bane, who kept the pressure on with perimeter scoring, but the 76ers answered often enough to take a 59-55 lead into the break.

Third quarter

Defense shaped the third quarter, and Philadelphia again did just enough, outscoring Orlando 20-19. Neither side created much separation, but the 76ers continued to protect their advantage and entered the fourth quarter ahead 79-74.

Fourth quarter

Philadelphia delivered its best closing stretch in the final period, outscoring Orlando 30-23. The 76ers created the separation they had been chasing all night with timely baskets, enough free-throw production, and stronger execution over the final minutes to come away with the 12-point win.

Key performers

Tyrese Maxey, 76ers: Maxey led Philadelphia with 31 points and six assists, setting the tone offensively and giving the 76ers a reliable creator in key possessions.

VJ Edgecombe, 76ers: Edgecombe added an important rebounding presence with 11 boards, helping Philadelphia stay competitive in a game where Orlando finished with a slight 41-40 edge on the glass.

Desmond Bane, Magic: Bane led all Orlando scorers with 34 points and was the Magic’s most consistent offensive option throughout the night.

Wendell Carter Jr., Magic: Carter Jr. pulled down 11 rebounds and helped Orlando generate second-chance opportunities, even as the Magic struggled to convert efficiently from the perimeter.

NerdSports Stat: Orlando had the game’s top scorer in Desmond Bane with 34 points and still lost by 12, largely because the Magic made only seven 3-pointers as a team while Philadelphia made 12.

Game analysis

This game turned on efficiency and late-game execution. Philadelphia shot 44.7 percent from the field, compared to Orlando’s 40.7 percent, and also created a meaningful gap from 3-point range. The 76ers went 12-for-35 from deep, while the Magic finished 7-for-27, a difference that became more important as the game tightened in the second half.

Philadelphia also made the most of its chances at the foul line, converting 21 of 25 free throws. Orlando got to the line more often, attempting 31 free throws, but the Magic converted only 24. In a play-in setting where every empty trip matters, that seven-point difference at the stripe added up.

The assist totals suggest Orlando had decent ball movement with 19 assists to Philadelphia’s 17, but the 76ers were more effective in the possessions that mattered most. Maxey’s shot creation gave Philadelphia a dependable option, and the 76ers’ 30-point fourth quarter was the clearest sign of which team executed better down the stretch.

Closing context

With the win, the 76ers improved to 45-37 and locked up the Eastern Conference’s No. 7 seed out of the Play-In Tournament. Orlando, also 45-37 after the loss, moves into the next play-in game and will need one more win to reach the postseason field as the No. 8 seed.

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