Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (1) reacts to his three-pointer in the final minute of play in the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic in a play-in round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

76ers' Andre Drummond turns back the clock in play-in win vs. Magic

By Sean Keane | Last updated Apr 15, 2026 11:14 PM ET

Playing without All-Star center Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers leaned on an All-Star center from the previous decade.

Andre Drummond put up a double-double off the bench in the Sixers' 109-97 win over the Orlando Magic, earning the No. 7 seed and a first-round matchup with the Boston Celtics. The veteran helped wall off the paint and helped the guard-heavy Sixers overcome their size disadvantage against the Magic.

Andre Drummond did it all for the Philadelphia 76ers

Drummond's presence inside really hurt the Magic. Orlando is a bad three-point shooting team that couldn't convert on countless drives to the hoop Wednesday, largely because of Drummond and Aden Bona, who each blocked three shots. Drummond scored 14 points, collected 10 rebounds and delivered two slick assists.

But the biggest sign that Drummond could do no wrong on Wednesday came with the dagger three-pointer he sank with 41 seconds to go in regulation. Drummond had made just 18 threes in the first 13 seasons of his NBA career before making 32 at a shocking 35.6 percent clip this season. He went 2-for-3 Wednesday night.

ANDRE DRUMMOND SEALS IT FROM DEEP!

THE SIXERS HAVE CLINCHED THE EAST #7 SEED AND WILL FACE THE CELTICS IN ROUND 1! pic.twitter.com/4bxCNiE7IE
— NBA (@NBA) April 16, 2026

Drummond's impact went beyond blocked shots, as the Magic continually rushed shots and missed layups, perhaps wary of Drummond's presence down low. As a result, they took 27 three-pointers and made only seven, with Paolo Banchero going 0-for-5.

76ers will need Andre Drummond going forward

Embiid had an appendectomy on April 9 and is out indefinitely. The 76ers will lean on their 32-year-old big man in their first-round series against the Boston Celtics, who may torment Drummond with ball movement but will still have to deal with his rebounding.

Drummond is 17th all-time in rebounds per game and 27th in total rebounds. His poor shooting has held him back during his career, especially as the three-point shot has become the dominant offensive weapon. But he's improved from a historically terrible free-throw shooter to simply a bad one, and he's now discovered a three-point stroke out of nowhere.

It may simply be one glorious game for Drummond. It still delivered a huge win, extra rest and a ray of hope for the feisty 76ers.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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