Wednesday Play-In
Now, the four teams to let our perfect Play-In down.
The problem with sneering at this ticket are the heavyweights included, they can still slug. Past prime and with a few losses in the record, heavyweights nevertheless.
Orlando couldn't get past Boston's reserves the other day, Philadelphia had every reason to reach for its own towel to toss. Yet throughout 2025-26 each outfit answered the bell in inimitable fashions, sometimes fighting in Germany after stateside doctors declined medical clearance. The undercard should be strong because the pluggers will battle down their own drains.
Every variation of the Clippers was entertaining this season, the club is professional and runs to where it is supposed to be, the uniforms are better than they were. The Warriors have Seth Curry, Rest Curry, Glum Kerr, Gui Santos.
We wouldn't mind a seven-game series out of either of these matchups, we could not say that about past Play-In participants.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
45-37, No. 7 seed, No. 18 in Net Rating, No. 17th in defense, No. 16 in offense, Wednesday is the 15th, Dalen Terry wears No. 14 for the 76ers, the Heat are No. 13.
C: Adem Bona – wants the lob, isn't getting it. Blocks shots, doesn't rebound, fouls a lot.
F: Paul George – the time off did him exceedingly well, yet Philly still had to peel his 35-year old butt off the bench on Friday to survive in Indianapolis, needed his presence in the second quarter rotation when the Bucks made a sad run on Sunday. Mostly struggled in games against Orlando since becoming a 76er.
F: Kelly Oubre Jr. – swipe factory could be the counter the visiting Sixers turn to. Especially with a little playoff scratch just sitting there on the table, an extra check and Orlando is the only thing in the way. Orlando!
SG: V.J. Edgecombe – loose, but I prefer it to a tense rookie. V.J. watched Kon sit out the clutch minutes on Tuesday night and said, the bar is that low, huh?
PG: Tyrese Maxey – unquestioned leader of this team can't stop banging into things but appears cheery, unfazed. The Magic were built to defend a guy like Maxey and it works, sometimes, not all the time:
