The Orlando Magic opened their 2026 NBA Summer League campaign with a hard-fought 99–92 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night at the Thomas & Mack Center. In a game that featured a tight second half and spirited play from both rosters of young hopefuls, the Magic leaned on a balanced scoring attack and a crucial late-game run to pull away from the Sixers.

Match Overview

Both teams traded leads throughout the first three quarters, with neither side able to build a double-digit cushion. The 76ers, led by their second-year guard and Summer League headliner, showed flashes of offensive firepower but struggled to contain Orlando’s pick-and-roll game in the final frame. The Magic outscored Philadelphia 28–22 in the fourth quarter, capitalizing on a 10–2 run with just under three minutes remaining that proved decisive.

Standout Players

• Orlando Magic – Anthony Black (23 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast): The second-year guard controlled the tempo and hit key shots down the stretch, including a step-back three that put the Magic up 93–87. His defensive versatility also disrupted Philadelphia’s half-court sets.
• Philadelphia 76ers – Jared McCain (26 pts, 4 ast): The rookie sharpshooter continued to impress, knocking down four triples and showing a polished mid-range game. He kept the Sixers within striking distance, but foul trouble limited his minutes in the fourth quarter.
• Orlando Magic – Trey Alexander (18 pts, 8 reb): The undrafted free agent forward provided energy off the bench, grabbing four offensive rebounds and finishing through contact at the rim.

Key Moments

The game’s turning point came at the 2:47 mark of the fourth quarter when Magic guard Jett Howard stole a lazy pass and found Black for a transition dunk, forcing a Philadelphia timeout. On the ensuing possession, Adem Bona blocked a Sixers layup attempt, leading to a fast-break three from Howard that pushed the lead to nine. The 76ers never recovered.

Tactical Story

Philadelphia’s offense relied heavily on isolation sets and wing pick-and-rolls, which the Magic defended aggressively by switching 1 through 4. Orlando’s big men, particularly reserve center St. Thomas, showed impressive footwork in drop coverage, forcing the Sixers into contested mid-range jumpers. Offensively, the Magic ran a steady diet of high-post handoffs and backdoor cuts, creating easy baskets when the Sixers overhelped.

Summer League Context

The result gives Orlando a 1–0 start in the Las Vegas Summer League, while Philadelphia falls to 0–1. Both teams feature a mix of rookies, second-year players, and undrafted free agents vying for roster spots or two-way contracts. The Magic’s balanced performance suggests depth, while the 76ers will look to tighten their defensive rotations before their next outing against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.