TORONTO — Tyrese Maxey scored 33 points to lead the Philadelphia 76ers past the Toronto Raptors 115-102 Monday night. Philadelphia’s 80-point first half — including 45 in the opening quarter — turned the second game of a back-to-back set into a runaway and left the clubs even in their four-game season series, Jan. 12, 2026.
Philadelphia hit 27 of 37 shots before halftime, including 13 of 20 from 3-point range, according to the Associated Press game recap published by ESPN. The 76ers were also perfect at the line (13 of 13) in the opening half, which the AP called the most points Toronto has allowed in a half this season.
Tyrese Maxey sets the tempo from the opening tip
Tyrese Maxey scored 18 points in the opening 12 minutes, going 6 of 7 from the field and 3 of 4 from deep as Philadelphia raced to a 45-28 first-quarter lead. He finished 10 of 16 overall and made six 3-pointers, giving the 76ers breathing room before the game had a chance to tighten.
Joel Embiid returned after sitting out Sunday with left knee management and groin soreness and added 27 points and eight rebounds. Paul George, who also missed Sunday with left knee soreness, and rookie VJ Edgecombe scored 15 apiece, with Edgecombe hitting 5 of 6 from 3-point range.
In a Reuters game report, the 76ers shot 73% in the first half while Toronto hit 15% from 3-point range for the night. The 76ers rebounded from Sunday’s 116-115 overtime loss, when they made just eight 3-pointers on 31 attempts.
Raptors can’t climb out of the early deficit
Immanuel Quickley led Toronto with 18 points, Brandon Ingram had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Scottie Barnes scored 15. Toronto played without RJ Barrett (left thumb) for a second straight game, while Ingram returned after missing two games with a sore right thumb.
The loudest moment for the home crowd came late, when fans chanted “We want Lowry!” and gave former Raptors captain Kyle Lowry a standing ovation as he checked in for Tyrese Maxey with 1:57 left. Lowry, a key figure on Toronto’s 2019 championship team, missed all three shots he took.
The win improved Philadelphia to 22-16 and dropped Toronto to 24-17, per the NBA’s official box score. It was Philadelphia’s sixth win in eight games, and the clubs finished 2-2 in the season series.
Tyrese Maxey’s history with Toronto
Big nights against the Raptors have been a recurring theme for Tyrese Maxey. In the 2022 playoffs, he erupted for a playoff career-high 38 in Game 1, as detailed in an Associated Press recap from April 2022.
He has grown from a fast-rising guard into a franchise centerpiece since, highlighted by his 2023-24 Most Improved Player award, noted in the 76ers’ announcement of Tyrese Maxey’s NBA Most Improved Player honor.
The 76ers return home to host Cleveland on Wednesday, while the Raptors head to Indiana.
