The Philadelphia 76ers used a commanding second-quarter run to build a cushion they ultimately needed, surviving a determined Miami Heat rally to secure a 124-117 victory at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Thursday night. Tyrese Maxey was the engine behind everything Philadelphia did, delivering one of the more complete individual performances of his season with 28 points, 11 assists, and 5 steals. With the win, the Sixers improve to 32-26 on the year while handing Miami a tough road loss that leaves the Heat at 31-28.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter: A Tight Start — PHI 36, MIA 35

Neither team came out of the gate with a decisive advantage, and the opening quarter reflected that. Philadelphia edged Miami by a single point, 36-35, in a period that set the tone for an up-tempo, offense-heavy contest. Both teams shot well early, and Miami showed no hesitation going into a hostile road environment. The margin was razor-thin, but the Sixers’ home crowd at Xfinity Mobile Arena — with an attendance of 19,746 — gave Philadelphia a slight edge in energy.

Second Quarter: Sixers Pull Away — PHI 37, MIA 22

This was the quarter that won the game for Philadelphia. The Sixers outscored Miami 37-22 in the second period, a 15-point swing that built a comfortable halftime lead. Philadelphia’s defense tightened considerably, and Maxey’s playmaking created open looks in transition and off pick-and-roll actions. Going into the half, the Sixers led by a margin that gave their bench and coaching staff genuine breathing room — something that proved essential given what came next.

Third Quarter: Heat Claw Back — MIA 34, PHI 26

Miami came out of halftime with a clear sense of urgency. The Heat outscored Philadelphia 34-26 in the third quarter, cutting significantly into the Sixers’ lead. Bam Adebayo was particularly active in this stretch, using his size and skill around the basket to generate easy looks and draw fouls. The Heat’s three-point shooting — they finished 17-of-40 from deep on the night — also came alive, keeping Miami very much in the game heading into the final frame.

Fourth Quarter: Sixers Hold On — PHI 25, MIA 26

Miami actually edged Philadelphia in the fourth quarter 26-25, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback. The Sixers made clutch free throws down the stretch — finishing the game at an impressive 94.4 percent from the line (17-of-18) — and Maxey’s playmaking kept the offense moving when Miami’s defense ramped up the pressure. Philadelphia’s ability to get to the free-throw line and convert proved to be the decisive factor in the final minutes.

Key Performers

Tyrese Maxey — PHI: 28 PTS | 11 AST | 5 STL

Maxey was the best player on the floor on this night and it wasn’t particularly close. His 28-point, 11-assist performance was complemented by a remarkable 5 steals — a stat line that underscores just how impactful he was on both ends of the court. Maxey controlled the pace of the game, made the right reads under pressure, and repeatedly found open teammates when Miami’s defense collapsed on him. He finished as the game’s top-rated performer, and rightfully so.

Joel Embiid — PHI: 11 REB (Team-High)

Joel Embiid anchored the Sixers’ frontcourt and led all players in rebounding with 11 boards. His interior presence stretched Miami’s defense and helped Philadelphia control the glass — the Sixers out-rebounded the Heat 49-45 on the night. Embiid’s ability to hold his own against Adebayo on both ends was a crucial subplot throughout the game.

Bam Adebayo — MIA: 29 PTS | 14 REB

Adebayo put together a strong double-double performance for Miami, finishing with 29 points and 14 rebounds in a losing effort. He was the driving force behind the Heat’s third-quarter comeback push and gave Philadelphia’s frontcourt genuine problems throughout the night. Adebayo’s 14 rebounds were the most of any player in the game, and his all-around effort kept Miami competitive until the final buzzer.

Tyler Herro — MIA: 7 AST (Team-High)

Tyler Herro led Miami in assists with 7 dimes, orchestrating the Heat’s offense and helping create opportunities for teammates in the half-court. While Miami’s offense overall wasn’t as crisp as Philadelphia’s — the Heat shot 46.0 percent from the field compared to the Sixers’ 47.4 percent — Herro’s facilitation kept Miami’s attack from becoming one-dimensional.

Game Analysis

Philadelphia’s blueprint for this win came down to three pillars: a dominant second quarter, elite free-throw shooting, and Maxey’s two-way brilliance. The Sixers attempted significantly more field goal attempts (95 vs. 87) and converted them at a slightly higher rate, but the real difference came from the charity stripe. Philadelphia shot 94.4 percent on 18 free throw attempts, while Miami struggled at the line, converting just 20 of 26 attempts (76.9 percent). In a seven-point game, that discrepancy was consequential.

Three-point shooting was roughly even — Philadelphia went 17-of-43 (39.5%) while Miami hit 17-of-40 (42.5%) — which means the Sixers’ edge came primarily from mid-range and at-rim efficiency, areas where Embiid and Maxey operate comfortably. Miami’s inability to sustain its third-quarter momentum into the fourth was the final piece of the puzzle; the Sixers’ composure in crunch time, particularly Maxey’s decision-making and free-throw reliability, proved the difference.

Standings and Series Implications

With the victory, Philadelphia improves to 32-26 overall, maintaining a solid position in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Notably, the Sixers carry a strong 17-11 road record this season — better than their 15-15 mark at home — which speaks to their consistency across environments. Miami drops to 31-28 and remains in the thick of the Eastern Conference standings race, where every game carries real weight with the trade deadline dust settled and the playoff push intensifying. Both teams will need continued strong play as the regular season winds down, but on this Friday night in Philadelphia, it was Tyrese Maxey and the Sixers who walked away with two crucial points.