Philadelphia finishes at 45-37, setting up showdown with Orlando Magic this week
Category: Sports
PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia 76ers closed out their regular season with a commanding 126-106 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 12, 2026. The win capped the season for the Sixers at 45-37, securing them the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference, and set the stage for a play-in game against the Orlando Magic this Wednesday.
In a game that highlighted both teams' struggles, the Bucks, who finished with a disappointing 32-50 record, were left to ponder what went wrong in a season marked by injuries and inconsistent play. The 76ers, on the other hand, were able to find their rhythm at key moments, particularly in the second half.
Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 21 points, demonstrating resilience after a sluggish start where he managed only five points on 1-for-5 shooting in the first half. Maxey turned the tide in the third quarter, scoring 16 points on 7-for-8 shooting, helping the Sixers outscore Milwaukee 38-16 in that period.
“I think it’s a little bit of a difficult game to play, and I don’t think we came out with a lot of life and kind of wanted it to be easier than it was going to be,” 76ers head coach Nick Nurse said. “I just think [Maxey] came out and turned up his work rate, the aggressiveness and all that stuff in the second half. He played more like himself.”
The Bucks initially held a 62-58 lead at halftime, buoyed by impressive performances from Cormac Ryan and AJ Green. Ryan scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for his first career double-double, and Green made history by setting a new franchise record with his 232nd three-pointer of the season. He finished with 19 points, making five three-pointers in total.
“I guess it’s something you’d rather have knocked out of the way right away than worrying about it in the fourth quarter,” Green said of breaking Ray Allen’s record. “It’s an honor. It’s a blessing. I’m grateful for it.”
As the game progressed, the Sixers began to dominate, particularly in the third quarter. Kelly Oubre Jr. provided a spark with a backcourt steal that led to a dunk, and Andre Drummond contributed significantly with 12 points and 13 rebounds, including six offensive boards. Drummond’s physical presence was a key factor in the 76ers’ ability to control the paint and secure extra possessions.
“He’s done a good job, no doubt about it, and we needed him to so that’s been good,” Nurse noted about Drummond's performance. “I thought defensively, he started getting up. That was the one thing at halftime. We weren’t doing all the work pressuring the 5s, and they were wheeling deal and paying and off to all those 3-point shooters.”
In stark comparison, the Bucks struggled in the second half, shooting poorly and committing turnovers. Their shooting from beyond the arc dropped dramatically, with the team going 1-for-15 in the third quarter, which proved detrimental to their chances of a comeback.
“It’s just disappointing to see how we finished,” said a reflective Bucks coach Doc Rivers. “We had a chance to play spoiler and we didn’t capitalize.”
Milwaukee’s season has been characterized by injuries to key players, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was ruled out for the game due to a knee injury suffered earlier in the season. This marked one of the most disappointing seasons for the franchise, as they recorded their fewest wins since the 2013-14 season when they only managed 15 victories.
As the 76ers prepare for their upcoming play-in matchup against the Magic, they are looking to build on their momentum from this decisive victory. “They’re a tough team,” Maxey said of the Magic. “They won five straight prior to [tonight]. They’re getting guys back [healthy]. And they’re a playoff team. They’ve been in the playoffs the last couple of years and they know how they’re going to play.”
The Sixers’ play-in game against the Magic is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Philadelphia, where they will aim to secure a spot in the playoffs. As both teams gear up for the challenge, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The 76ers hope to capitalize on their recent form, and the Bucks will be left to regroup and rethink their strategy for the next season.
With the 76ers now looking ahead to the playoffs, the question remains: can they carry this momentum into the postseason and make a deep run? , but for now, they can savor the sweet taste of victory in their season finale.