Orlando Magic defeat Philadelphia 76ers in close game

Magic win 112-109 in a back-and-forth contest at home

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:17am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game in motion, with fragmented, overlapping shapes and planes of blue, white, red, and blue representing the players and action on the court.The Orlando Magic's hard-fought victory over the Philadelphia 76ers showcases the team's resilience and ability to compete with the Eastern Conference's elite.Today in Orlando

The Orlando Magic defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 112-109 in a close game at the Amway Center on April 15, 2026. The game featured multiple lead changes and a tight finish, with the Magic pulling out the victory in the final minutes.

Why it matters

This win is an important one for the Magic as they continue to battle for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers are one of the top teams in the East, so this victory shows the Magic can compete with the conference's elite.

The details

The Magic were led by 28 points from forward Paolo Banchero and 24 points from guard Jalen Suggs. The 76ers were paced by 32 points from center Joel Embiid and 25 points from guard James Harden. The game was tied 102-102 with 2 minutes remaining before the Magic closed the game on a 10-7 run.

  • The game was played on April 15, 2026.
  • It was the 82nd game of the 2025-26 NBA regular season.

The players

Paolo Banchero

A 23-year-old forward for the Orlando Magic who scored a team-high 28 points in the game.

Jalen Suggs

A 22-year-old guard for the Orlando Magic who scored 24 points in the victory.

Joel Embiid

A 32-year-old center for the Philadelphia 76ers who led all scorers with 32 points.

James Harden

A 37-year-old guard for the Philadelphia 76ers who scored 25 points in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough game against a great team like the 76ers. I'm proud of the way our guys battled and made the plays down the stretch to get the win.”

— Jamahl Mosley, Head Coach, Orlando Magic

“We had our chances but just couldn't make the plays when we needed to. Credit to the Magic, they made the winning plays in the end.”

— Doc Rivers, Head Coach, Philadelphia 76ers

What’s next

The Magic will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a playoff spot, with their next game coming against the Toronto Raptors on April 17th. The 76ers will try to bounce back in their next contest against the Brooklyn Nets on April 19th.

The takeaway

This was an important victory for the Orlando Magic as they try to secure a postseason berth in the Eastern Conference. The team showed its ability to compete with one of the top teams in the East and make the necessary plays down the stretch to pull out the win.