Maxey tallies 31 points to guide Sixers over Magic, securing No. 7 seed in the East.
PHILADELPHIA — Tyrese Maxey recorded 31 points, VJ Edgecombe contributed 19 points along with 11 rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers overcame the absence of Joel Embiid to defeat the Orlando Magic 109-97 on Wednesday night, securing the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The Sixers are set to enter a first-round series that commences on Sunday in Boston.
Desmond Bane and the Magic are not finished yet. They will face Charlotte on Friday night, with the victor claiming the No. 8 seed in the East and a first-round matchup against Detroit.
Embiid underwent an emergency appendectomy last week in Houston. Although the 76ers have not provided a timeline for his return, the two-time scoring champion rejoined the team on Wednesday, surprising his teammates in the locker room and observing the game from the bench.
Maxey, who was named an Eastern Conference All-Star starter for the first time in his career, scored seven consecutive points late in the fourth quarter to provide the Sixers with some cushion against a Magic team that squandered a chance to host this game with a late collapse in their season finale against the Celtics.
Bane, who averaged 20.1 points and participated in all 82 games, led Orlando’s offense with 34 points. He made a three-pointer that brought Orlando within two, and Anthony Black followed with a three-pointer that narrowed the gap to 87-86.
Maxey received additional support in the closing moments.
Andre Drummond stepped up in Embiid’s absence, contributing 14 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Kelly Oubre Jr. added 19 points, while Paul George scored 16.
George, who faced a 25-game suspension this season for failing a drug test, made a fadeaway jumper in the third quarter that extended the lead to seven, prompting an Orlando timeout. He later stripped the ball and passed it to Edgecombe, who dunked over Jalen Suggs, getting in his face for a 73-62 advantage.
Edgecombe, the No. 3 overall pick in last year’s draft, was penalized for taunting, leading officials to separate the teams. Oubre gestured to the enthusiastic crowd, and the Sixers appeared ready to create some distance.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
