🏀 Path out of play-in | Sports Daily Newsletter

The 76ers still have some work to do before the NBA playoffs.

If they win tonight against the Orlando Magic in the Play-In Tournament (7:30, Prime Video), they’ll move on as the Eastern Conference’s No. 7 seed and face the Boston Celtics in the first round.

But wins are not automatic, especially without former MVP Joel Embiid, who has not been around the team “at all” since his appendectomy.

But a loss to the Magic doesn’t end the Sixers’ chances of making the playoffs. They would have another shot against the Charlotte Hornets, who beat the Miami Heat in the 9-10 matchup on Tuesday night.

Curious what the media is saying about both scenarios? We’ve got you covered.

There’s been a lot to unpack with this year’s Sixers — from Embiid’s tale of two seasons as his health continued to limit him to Paul George serving a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy. There also are positives that they’ll be leaning on tonight.

Those positives are in backcourt duo Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, also known as “VJ Maxx.” It’s no secret that they have fueled the Sixers this season, and the team will go as far as the pair can lead them.

The duo also symbolize the core foundation that the franchise should build around in the future.

— Isabella DiAmore, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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❓What is your prediction for the Sixers? Can they make it out of the first round? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

Howie Roseman is usually aware of what’s being reported about the Eagles. So he has seen the articles in the aftermath of an early playoff exit that pointed some of the blame for the team’s offensive struggles at Jalen Hurts. The GM said it’s “unfair — but I also understand it’s what sells at this point.”

Roseman also was asked about A.J. Brown’s future with the Eagles, especially after the trade for Dontayvion Wicks, but his answer remained the same.

🏈 Learning: NFL reporter Dianna Russini resigned from The Athletic a week after photos of her with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel were published.

🏒 Reliving: The Flyers clinching their first playoff berth since 2020 after beating the Carolina Hurricanes in a 3-2 shootout on Monday.

🥊 Preparing: UFC is returning to Philadelphia in August for UFC 330, its first major championship event in the city in 15 years.

📖 Reading: A Camden High graduate’s journey from playing five years of college football to having NFL aspirations.

The Phillies’ bullpen shuffling continues, with the team optioning righty Seth Johnson and recalling righty Chase Shugart from triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Recalling Shugart gives the bullpen a fresh arm. Rob Thomson got a look at the 29-year-old in spring training and says “I don’t think any situation is going to scare him a lot.”

After jumping out to a 3-0 lead against the Cubs, a disastrous sixth inning from Tim Mayza doomed the Phillies in a 10-4 loss. The Phillies will try to avoid losing three consecutive series on Wednesday.

They did it. The Flyers are back in the playoffs for the first time in six seasons. “It’s been a lot of years,” coach Rick Tocchet said Monday.

The other Philly teams have gotten the chance to experience what a true playoff atmosphere looks like over the last few seasons. Now it’s the Flyers’ turn to experience a playoff atmosphere in Philly.

And as the season wrapped up on Tuesday, the Flyers’ youngsters shined in a 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens. The win gave the Flyers 43 on the season, their most since the 2011-12 season.

Willie Aston, 50, of Kutztown has been a Flyers fan since the 1990s, and with the team making the playoffs for the first time since 2020, he got a portrait of Gritty tattooed on the top of his head.

“Everybody so far has loved [my Gritty tattoo]. … A lot of people like the added touch of the eyes and the blood and the fangs.”

Since becoming the Flyers’ president in 2023, Keith Jones has never watched his team compete in a shootout. On Monday night, he was in the upper reaches of Xfinity Mobile Arena, pacing in a hallway just outside the booth where he used to call games.

Many rolled their eyes when the Flyers hired a broadcaster as team president. Three years later, Jones has the team in the playoffs and trending upward. He has shown he shouldn’t be underestimated, writes columnist Mike Sielski.

Who holds the Sixers record for most points in a playoff game with 55?

B) Allen Iverson in Game 1 of the 2003 Eastern Conference first round — Joey M. was first with the correct answer.

We asked: What is your favorite Philly sports venue of all time? Among your response:

Way too many to choose from. Shibe Park a/k/a Connie Mack Stadium, Municipal stadium, the Palestra, Franklin Field, the Arena at 45th & Market St, the original Spectrum, Xfinity Mobile, the Vet, Citizens Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field, Olney High School Gymnasium, the Convention Hall, Mann Music Center, Freedom Mortgage Pavilion. Going on 87 and been to them all. I think my all time favorite was a vacant lot at the Harold B Robinson auto store at Broad and 67th Ave. in West Oak Lane where we played soft ball games with our dad’s, uncles and friends almost every Sunday morning in the ‘40’s and ‘50’s. — Ronald R.

The Palestra hands-down! Loved watching Big 5 college and PIAA triple header basketball playoff games in the mid-70’s. Bristol High School would have 4 fan buses caravan to West Philly to support the Warriors during their state championship run. Later as a Temple Owl, we attended many Big 5 double headers with the streamers and signs from the student section. — Bob C.

For me it was Shibe Park later Connie Mack Stadium. I saw my very first MLB game there in 1948 sitting in the left field bleachers with the Springfield Delco AA. Saw Connie Mack and his Athletics there just once, and saw my first Eagles game there as well. Very special too because over the years I got to take all four of my younger brothers there to see the Phillies and or Eagles. Many fond memories. — Everett S.

Connie Mack Stadium was all about baseball (not “entertainment” distractions) where the grass was actually a beautiful green compared to my black and white TV and of course, the massive Ballantine Beer Scoreboard along with box and reserve seats not wide enough for today’s human. — Mike P.

I have to say that both the palestra and Franklin Field were my favorite venues. Watching the Eagles beat Green Bay on 12/26/60 was a true highlight and all of the Big 5 games at the Palestra with the roll-out signs and the intensity in the stands there was never dull moment in the hallowed halls of the magnificent Basilica of College Basketball. — Richard F.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Matt Mullin, Gina Mizell, Gabriela Carroll, Devin Jackson, Rob Tornoe, Ariel Simpson, Jackie Spiegel, Mike Sielski, Lochlahn March, Scott Lauber, and Owen Hewitt.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Thanks for getting your morning started with me on this hot spring day. Kerith will catch back up with you in Thursday’s newsletter. — Bella