Maxey played 42 minutes, finishing 11-for-25 from the field and 3-for-9 from three-point range. He also contributed six assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block, delivering the top scoring effort for a shorthanded Sixers squad.
The victory sends Philadelphia to the playoffs and sets up a first-round series against the Boston Celtics. It marks a bigger responsibility for Maxey, who is stepping into a larger role as the team navigates potential absences from Embiid and the absence of Harden.
Maxey’s season has been highlighted by heavy workloads and strong production. Ahead of the Play-In, he appeared in 70 games and led the league with 38.0 minutes per game, averaging 28.3 points on 46.2% shooting, 36.7% from three, along with 4.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. The two-time All-Star is coming off a career year as Philadelphia pivots toward the postseason.
As the Sixers prepare for a series with the Celtics, the focus will be on Maxey’s ability to drive offense and create on a night-to-night basis, especially with Embiid’s status uncertain and Harden no longer part of the mix. The win over Orlando capped a pivotal path to the playoffs and underscored Maxey’s importance to the team’s plans for the postseason.
