Tyrese Maxey stepped up in a massive way, dropping 31 points to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 109-97 play-in victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. With Joel Embiid sidelined, the Sixers secured the No. 7 seed in the East and a daunting first-round matchup against the top-seeded Boston Celtics, starting Sunday.

Rookie V.J. Edgecombe provided crucial support with a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double, helping Philadelphia weather Embiid's absence. The reigning MVP, who recently underwent an appendectomy, made a surprise return to the bench to support his team, though his playing status remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, the Magic's season isn't over. Led by Desmond Bane, Orlando will host the Charlotte Hornets on Friday for the right to claim the No. 8 seed and a first-round series against the Detroit Pistons.

In the Western Conference play-in, Stephen Curry delivered a vintage performance, erupting for 35 points—27 in the second half—to propel the Golden State Warriors to a thrilling comeback win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Curry's clutch three-pointer with 50 seconds left sealed the victory, capping a rally from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit.

Veteran Al Horford sparked the surge with four three-pointers in the final period, as the Warriors' postseason experience shone through. Golden State now travels to face the Phoenix Suns on Friday, with the winner advancing to a first-round showdown against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.