Joel Embiid notched a 20-point double-double in just three quarters, while Tyrese Maxey took over in fourth as the Philadelphia 76ers held off the Orlando Magic, 125-113, to keep their hopes of a East top six finish alive.
pure magic. 🪄@cryptocom pic.twitter.com/0ctefvQl6Q
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 13, 2024
In just his fifth game back from a left knee surgery, Embiid feasted on the Magic’s defense and finished with 32 points,13 rebounds, and seven dimes as the Sixers won their seventh straight game.
32 PTS | 13 REBS | 7 ASTS
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 13, 2024
a magical performance from the big man. 😁
presented by @PALottery pic.twitter.com/oErCMGEPaL
Earlier, the former All-Star landed awkwardly on a layup drive down the lane with about 1:40 left in the second quarter, limping noticeably to midcourt after appearing to hurt his left knee.
Joel Embiid went to the locker room after an apparent leg injury pic.twitter.com/uIEDB1gaQn
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 13, 2024
After Sixers head coach Nick Nurse called timeout, Embiid went straight to the Sixers' locker room. He then proceeded to start the second half and hit a triple to start off the third.
JoJo gets us started in the second. 😌 pic.twitter.com/dH6OLkDXAy
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 13, 2024
By the end of that frame, the seven-foot big man had 28 markers and 11 boards already.
Maxey did his damage in the fourth, scoring 11 of 28 points in the final frame, just enough to put away multiple Magic uprising.
After racing to a 100-85 lead with 11:06 left in the fourth, Philadelphia saw its lead cut down to just seven points,104-97, after Orlando launched a 12-4 spurt with 8:46 ticks remaining.
Maxey and Tobias Harris then responded with 7-0 counter-run to bring back their lead to double digits at 111-97.
he's literally Tyrese Maxey. 💁??? pic.twitter.com/BKCNVsJd5K
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 13, 2024
Minutes later, the Magic got to as close as six, 113-107, after a Paolo Banchero bucket with 4:35 seconds left. But Tyrese answered with back-to-back buckets to make it a 10-point Sixers’ lead and never looked back.
https://t.co/q85CCMhqeq pic.twitter.com/D2ec4YHxIn
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 13, 2024
Kelly Oubre Jr. added 21 markers while Tobis Harris had 14 for Philadelphia.
On the other hand, Franz Wagner led the way for Orlando with 24 points with Paolo Banhcero and Jalen Suggs adding 22 and 20 respectively.
The Magic got themselves to an early 40-27 hole in the opening frame and played catch-up the rest of the way en route to a third straight loss.
Orlando dominated the paint over Philadelphia, however, earning a 60-46 advantage but shot a terrible 8-out-of-27 (30 percent) beyond the arc compared to the Sixers’ making 18 threes.
Prior to the game, the Magic have lost three of their past four games and are coming off Wednesday's 117-99 setback against the Milwaukee Bucks.
After the Indiana Pacers' loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers today, the Magic, the Pacers, and the 76ers each have a record of 46-35 and are locked in fifth, sixth and seventh places, respectively, in the conference.
Philadelphia's win against Orlando though would boost the squad's chances to avoid the Play-In Tournament.
The Sixers will close out their regular season campaign against the Brooklyn Nets while the Magic hosts the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers play the Atlanta Hawks.
