Orlando, Florida – In an exciting matchup on Sunday night, the Orlando Magic secured a narrow 104-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Cole Anthony led the way for the Magic with an impressive 27-point performance, while teammate Paolo Banchero made a vital contribution, scoring seven points in the final 1:32 of the game. Banchero concluded the night with 20 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, marking a successful return after recovering from a torn oblique.
On the opposing side, Tyrese Maxey was the star for the 76ers, finishing the game with 29 points. Paul George also had a noteworthy performance, contributing 25 points, along with 10 rebounds and six assists, but was ultimately sidelined after fouling out with 2:49 remaining in the game, while the 76ers were clinging to a 94-91 lead. In addition, Jonathan Isaac, coming off the bench, made an impact with a double-double, scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, which was his first double-double since 2019. Anthony Black also helped the Magic effort with 17 points, six rebounds, and six assists.
This match reflected a challenging weekend for the 76ers. They were already undermanned without their star center, Joel Embiid, who has been out for four consecutive games due to a sprained left foot. The team also suffered another setback when rookie Jared McCain underwent season-ending surgery for a torn meniscus. Their weekend woes extended from a loss against New Orleans at home on Friday.
For the Orlando Magic, this victory puts them at 23-18 for the season, placing them fifth in the Eastern Conference despite dealing with injuries throughout. It is worth noting that rookie forward Tristan da Silva had to exit the game just 61 seconds after it started because of an illness.
A pivotal moment in the game came when Maxey’s three-pointer was the only scoring from Philadelphia over the final 2:32 of the match, as a small lead vanished into a loss. A striking key stat from the game highlighted Orlando’s dominance in bench scoring, where they outscored the 76ers 48-11.
Looking ahead, the 76ers are set to host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, while the Magic will face off against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.
