Tyrese Maxey’s immediate reaction to 76ers’ play-in win vs. Magic

The Philadelphia 76ers are now in the playoffs after beating the Orlando Magic, 109-97, in the Play-In Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Wednesday.

The seventh-seeded 76ers will face the second-seeded Boston Celtics in the first round.

Tyrese Maxey starred for Philadelphia against Orlando, tallying a team-high 31 points, including seven straight in a pivotal stretch in the fourth quarter, on top of two rebounds and six assists.

In the postgame interview, Maxey issued a strong message about the Sixers.

“We played hard as hell tonight. Everyone who stepped on the floor contributed. I’m just so happy. I told them at the beginning of the year, ‘I don’t care what it takes, we’re going to the playoffs,'” said the two-time All-Star.

"I told them at the beginning of the year, 'I don't care what it takes, we're going to the playoffs.'"

Tyrese Maxey is excited for a lot of his teammates to get to the playoffs for the first time @Kristina_Pink pic.twitter.com/PFrOrSxFxW

— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) April 16, 2026

VJ Edgecombe added a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds, Kelly Oubre Jr. chipped in 19 points, including five three-pointers, and Paul George had 16 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals.

Philadelphia bucked the absence of Joel Embiid, who went through an emergency appendectomy last week. Andre Drummond stepped up, contributing 14 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks off the bench.

With Embiid’s timetable still unclear, Maxey will have to continue to carry the cudgels for the 76ers, with Edgecombe, Oubre, and George providing ample support.

The Sixers and the Celtics will renew their rivalry in the playoffs. The last time they met was in the second round in 2023, with Boston surviving in a heated seven-game series, 4-3.

Since 2000, the 76ers have not beaten the Celtics in five matchups in the playoffs.

Game 1 is on Sunday at TD Garden.

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