Joel Embiid, 76ers have a good chance to avoid play-in

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and guard Tyrese Maxey (0) stand together during a break in action in the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic at Wells Fargo Center.

When Joel Embiid returned, it looked like the 76ers would have to win all their remaining games to stay out of the play-in. They’re one game away from doing it.

Embiid is still playing himself into shape in his return from a meniscus injury. His endurance might be flagging, but a fresh Embiid did huge damage to Orlando in the first quarter. He had 13 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished five assists, getting the Sixers into the bonus and the Magic into foul trouble all by himself.

Some of those passes were absolute dimes.

The Sixers got a scare when Embiid landed awkwardly near the end of the second quarter and headed straight to the locker room.

But he came back with a vengeance in the third quarter.

The reigning MVP wasn’t as much of an offensive force in the second half compared to the first, whether it was the effects of the bad landing or just conditioning. But he was still dominating the Magic on defense, like when he swallowed up a Jalen Suggs drive.

Philadelphia has now won seven games in a row, six since the return of Embiid. They’re now in a three-way tie for fifth in the East, along with Orlando and the Indiana Pacers. But with the Magic facing a tough game against the Milwaukee Bucks, who still need a win to lock up the No. 2 seed, Philly has an excellent chance to avoid the play-in by beating the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.

Tyrese Maxey scored 28 points and Kelly Oubre Jr. added 21. But the reason the 76ers can still hope for a guaranteed playoff berth — and an extra five days of rest — is primarily due to the heroics of their star center, who is getting back in shape at the perfect time.

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