Jan. 10, 2026, 7:03 a.m. ET

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Philadelphia 76ers picked up an important 103-91 win over the Orlando Magic on Friday night. Not only did the win keep the winning vibes going for Philadelphia as it has won five of its last six games, but the win secured the all-important tiebreaker for the Sixers as they clinched the season series 2-1 over the Magic.

The win also pushed Philadelphia a game and a half ahead of the Magic in the standings. Everything in the Eastern Conference is so bunched up, and even though it’s still early in the season, every win counts and it’s important for the Sixers to win these types of games.

“It’s still early in the season,” said Joel Embiid who finished with 22 points and nine rebounds in the win. “It’s kind of hard to start thinking about tie breaks and all that, but it’s good. Obviously, we’re right there with them. Our aim is to keep winning and keep climbing up the standings, and they happen to do the same thing, and if that’s needed. I guess that’s a good thing.”

Speaking of Embiid, he played in his sixth straight game on Friday. It’s the first time the big fella has played in six straight games was from Jan. 15, 2024 to Jan. 25, 2024. It’s a big leap for Embiid as the 2023 MVP winner continues to get his rhythm and get back on track as a player.

“Yeah, it feels good,” Embiid smiled after the win. “That’s why, even with fatigue that you’re feeling from your body getting used to it’s just that fact of just being on the floor and playing basketball. That just makes me so happy.”

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Embiid’s main thing when asked about his availability all season has been “gotta keep it going” as he brushes off the idea of playing in so many consecutive games as some big deal. However, he thought about it and realized how much of a big step this is for him.

“Obviously, one thing I learned, especially the last two years being in this moment, I enjoy it,” Embiid added. “I know I usually say, ‘Oh, got to keep building on it,’ but this is a moment where I’m like, I’m sure maybe not of a lot of people out there never thought this would happen again. So, got to keep playing and put in the work to keep that going.”

With that being said, this hasn’t been a walk in the park for Embiid. The big fella is certainly feeling it in the middle of playing so many games after so much time off.

“I feel OK, physically,” he finished. “It was one of those nights that I haven’t been two or three years playing as much. So, I kind of felt it before the game and start the game, but you push through it. That’s how you get better. You get used. You get used to it that grind again.”

Embiid and the Sixers will finish this quick 3-game trip with a back-to-back against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday and Monday.