76ers beat Bucks 126-106 behind Maxey, big third quarter

The Philadelphia 76ers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 126-106 on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Xfinity Mobile Arena, with Tyrese Maxey leading Philadelphia with 21 points as the 76ers used a decisive third quarter to turn a halftime deficit into a comfortable home win.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Philadelphia opened with a slight edge and took a 29-26 lead after one quarter. The 76ers were efficient early and kept the ball moving, while Milwaukee stayed close by matching pace in the half court and getting enough offense to prevent the game from opening up.

Second Quarter

The Bucks had their best stretch before halftime, outscoring the 76ers 36-29 in the second quarter to take a 62-58 lead into the break. Milwaukee found rhythm from the field and put together a stronger offensive period, while Philadelphia was unable to string together enough stops late in the half.

Third Quarter

The game changed completely in the third. Philadelphia outscored Milwaukee 38-16 in the period, turning a four-point halftime deficit into a 96-78 advantage entering the fourth. The 76ers tightened up defensively, controlled the glass, and converted efficiently, while the Bucks struggled to sustain possessions and shot creation.

Fourth Quarter

Milwaukee tried to respond in the final period, but Philadelphia stayed in control and added 30 more points in the fourth. The 76ers matched the Bucks’ scoring pressure well enough to protect the margin, closing out a 20-point win without letting the game get back into single digits.

Key Performers

Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 21 points, setting the scoring pace for a balanced Philadelphia attack. Quentin Grimes added 20 points and delivered one of the most efficient all-around performances on the roster. Andre Drummond anchored the interior with 13 rebounds, and VJ Edgecombe handed out 11 assists to guide the offense.

Philadelphia finished with 47 made field goals on 51.6% shooting, hit 16 three-pointers, and recorded 28 assists, reflecting the steady ball movement that defined its best stretches.

For Milwaukee, Cormac Ryan led all Bucks scorers with 22 points and also grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double. Ousmane Dieng added 8 assists, but Milwaukee shot 43.3% overall and just 27.7% from three, which made it difficult to keep pace after halftime.

NerdSports Stat: Philadelphia was minus-4 at halftime and still won by 20, meaning the 76ers posted a +24 second half — exactly the same as their +22 margin in the third quarter plus a +2 edge in the fourth.

Game Analysis

This game came down to efficiency and the third-quarter swing. Philadelphia was better from the field, better from three, and slightly better on the glass, finishing with a 46-44 rebounding edge. The 76ers also got quality contributions across the lineup rather than relying on one high-volume scorer, which helped them absorb Milwaukee’s strong second quarter and respond with composure.

The biggest separator was shot quality after halftime. Philadelphia generated cleaner looks and converted them at a much higher rate, while Milwaukee’s perimeter shooting cooled off. The Bucks attempted 47 threes but made only 13, and that gap became more damaging once the 76ers started scoring consistently inside and from deep.

Ball movement also favored Philadelphia. The 76ers’ 28 assists on 47 made baskets highlighted a connected offense, with Edgecombe’s 11 assists helping create rhythm for Maxey, Grimes, and the rest of the rotation. When Philadelphia took control in the third, it did so by pairing stops with quick, efficient offensive trips.

Closing Context

The win closes the regular season with Philadelphia at 45-37, including a 23-18 record at home, while Milwaukee finishes 32-50 and 13-28 on the road. For the 76ers, this result adds momentum and a strong closing note as they look ahead to their Eastern Conference postseason positioning.

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