NBA Play-In Tournament Live Scores: Magic vs. 76ers & Warriors vs. Clippers Updates and Playoff Implications
The NBA Play‑In Tournament continued Tuesday night with two pivotal games: the Philadelphia 76ers hosting the Orlando Magic and the Golden State Warriors traveling to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Both contests were streamed on Prime Video, with tip‑offs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (Orlando‑Philadelphia) and 10:00 p.m. ET (Golden State‑Los Angeles).
The winner of the 76ers‑Magic matchup will secure the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, while the loser will face the Charlotte Hornets on Friday for a second Play‑In chance.
The Warriors‑Clippers game is an elimination contest; the loser exits the postseason, and the victor advances to face the Phoenix Suns later Friday.
Philadelphia entered the Play‑In with a 45‑37 regular‑season record, finishing seventh in the East and posting a 6‑4 record in its final ten games.
Orlando finished the season 19‑20, just under .500, and entered the tournament after a loss in its final regular‑season game that cost it a home‑court Play‑In spot.
Both teams have similar overall net ratings, with the Sixers at –0.1 (18th in the league) and the Magic at +0.6 (17th), indicating a tightly contested matchup.
The starting lineups, announced shortly before tip‑off, featured a blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent for each club.
| Team | Starter | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Magic | Jalen Suggs | PG |
| Magic | Desmond Bane | SG |
| Magic | Franz Wagner | SF |
| Magic | Paolo Banchero | PF |
| Magic | Wendell Carter Jr. | C |
| 76ers | Tyrese Maxey | PG |
| 76ers | V.J. Edgecombe | SG |
| 76ers | Kelly Oubre Jr. | SF |
| 76ers | Paul George | PF |
| 76ers | Adam Bona | C |
Tyrese Maxey and Paul George have combined for an 8‑3 record when playing without Joel Embiid, underscoring Philadelphia’s depth and resilience in his absence.
Orlando’s core includes Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, and a returning Jonathan Isaac, all key to the team’s rebound‑centric identity.
The Magic rank in the top‑10 for rebounding percentage and are fifth in defensive rebounding, giving them a potential edge in second‑chance opportunities.
Philadelphia, by contrast, ranks 21st in defensive rebounding but excels in turnover efficiency, sitting sixth league‑wide in that metric.
Ticket pricing for the two venues highlights the economic disparity between the markets: Philadelphia’s Xfinity Mobile Arena offers upper‑deck seats at $25, while Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome starts at $91 for the cheapest seats.
| Venue | Cheapest Seat | Premium Section |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia – Xfinity Mobile Arena | $25 (upper deck) | $47 (lower bowl, behind basket) |
| Los Angeles – Intuit Dome | $91 (general admission) | $198 (lower level, behind basket) |
Both games also carry draft‑lottery implications. A Sixers win would give Oklahoma City a top‑4 protected pick that could land between the 16th and 18th slots.
If Golden State loses, the Warriors will sit 11th in the pre‑lottery order with a 2.0 % chance to move to the top pick, while a victory moves them to the 15th slot.
Los Angeles’ fate influences a potential 11th‑place pick for the Clippers, which could become the 11th or 12th lottery selection with roughly 1.5‑2.0 % odds of the No. 1 spot.
The season series between the Warriors and Clippers favored Los Angeles, with the Clippers winning three of the four meetings, including a 115‑110 victory on April 12.
| Date | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 28 | Warriors | 98‑79 |
| Jan 5 | Clippers | 103‑102 |
| Mar 2 | Clippers | 114‑101 |
| Apr 12 | Clippers | 115‑110 |
Golden State’s net rating of –0.5 places them last among Play‑In qualifiers, while the Clippers hold a modest +1.1, reflecting a slight statistical advantage.
Since the All‑Star break, the Clippers have posted a net rating of +3.9 (13th in the league) compared with the Warriors’ –5.3, ranking 21st.
True shooting percentage further differentiates the clubs: Los Angeles ranks third league‑wide at 60.2 %, whereas Golden State sits at 58.4 %.
Assist ratios swing in Golden State’s favor; the Warriors rank fourth in assists per 100 possessions, while the Clippers are 25th, indicating superior ball movement for the Warriors.
Despite that, turnover generation remains a strength for Golden State, which ranks fifth best in forced turnovers, whereas the Clippers sit in the middle of the pack.
Kawhi Leonard, at 34, leads the Clippers with a blend of scoring and defensive intensity, while Stephen Curry, now 38, continues to anchor Golden State’s offense despite a recent knee injury.
Both veterans are contemplating the twilight of their careers, yet their performances remain central to each team’s Play‑In aspirations.
In Orlando, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero have each posted multiple double‑doubles this season, contributing to the Magic’s strong rebounding metrics.
Philadelphia’s forward Paul George, acquired mid‑season, provides veteran scoring and perimeter defense, complementing Maxey’s scoring bursts.
The Magic’s recent form includes a 27‑game clutch‑time win record, the highest in the league, underscoring their poise in close finishes.
Philadelphia’s offensive rating of 114.3 (16th) and defensive rating of 114.4 (17th) place the Sixers near the league median, reflecting balanced but unspectacular play.
Orlando’s offensive rating of 114.2 (18th) and defensive rating of 113.6 (13th) similarly denote a middle‑of‑the‑road profile, with marginally better defense than offense.
The tactical battle in Philadelphia will likely revolve around Maxey’s ability to create his own shot against Orlando’s interior defense anchored by Carter Jr. and Banchero.
Orlando will aim to exploit its rebounding edge, seeking second‑chance points and limiting Philadelphia’s transition opportunities.
In the Western contest, the Clippers will look to leverage Kawhi Leonard’s two‑way impact and the improved depth provided by the probable return of backup center Isaiah Jackson.
Jackson’s presence adds size to the Clippers’ frontcourt, allowing John Collins to shift to power forward and providing a rolling threat in the paint.
Golden State’s offensive scheme will continue to rely on Curry’s off‑ball movement and the high‑assist distribution that has historically defined their play.
The Warriors’ bench, featuring Darius Garland, will be tasked with matching the Clippers’ scoring surge, especially after Mathurin’s 20‑point performance on April 12.
Both games carry implications for the upcoming NBA Draft. A Sixers victory could shift Oklahoma City’s protected pick into the mid‑first round, while a Clippers loss could hand the team a lottery slot in the 11th or 12th position.
Conversely, a Warriors win would move them to the 15th pick, whereas a loss would retain them at 11th with a small chance to climb to the top.
Los Angeles’ recent schedule was comparatively light, facing Oklahoma City, San Antonio, and Denver only three times each, yet the team still finished 1‑8 against those opponents.
The Clippers’ season marked a historic turnaround, climbing from 15 games under .500 to finish just outside the top eight in the West for the first time in eight years.
Golden State’s season, by contrast, was marred by injuries and an aging roster, resulting in the lowest net rating among Play‑In participants.
Both clubs will also be watching the league’s draft lottery outlook, as the outcomes of these Play‑In games will determine the exact positioning of several first‑round selections.
For fans attending in person, the price gap between the two venues underscores the market dynamics of the East versus West coasts, with Los Angeles commanding a premium for its newer arena.
The Play‑In format, introduced in 2020, continues to add drama to the postseason qualification process, offering teams on the cusp a final chance to prove their worth.
Philadelphia’s quest to avoid a second consecutive season missing the playoffs adds urgency, while Orlando seeks to extend its streak of three consecutive playoff appearances.
Golden State’s aim is to re‑establish its championship pedigree, whereas the Clippers hope to capitalize on Kawhi Leonard’s leadership to secure a postseason berth.
Both games will be closely monitored by analysts for clues about each team’s strategic adjustments heading into the regular playoffs, should they advance.
As the clock winds down on the Play‑In schedule, the outcomes of these two contests will solidify the final eight seeds in both conferences and set the stage for the first round.
