The Sixers entered the game significantly short-handed, with Joel Embiid (knee), Paul George (ankle), Kelly Oubre (knee) and VJ Edgecombe (calf) all out for the game, leaving Tyrese Maxey as the team's only consistent offensive engine. He wasn't nearly what they need him to be, with 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting in 32 minutes.

Anthony Black scored 27 of his career-high 31 points in the first half and the Orlando Magic routed the injury-depleted Philadelphia 76ers 144-103 in an NBA Cup game.

Despite a record-setting first half, Orlando’s 41-point victory at Philadelphia was overshadowed by a skirmish between the two teams that led to the ejection of Jalen Suggs.

Tyrese Maxey scored 20 points to lead the Sixers, whose absences included Joel Embiid (right knee injury management), Paul George (right ankle sprain) and rookie VJ Edgecombe (left calf tightness).

Joel Embiid has not played since Nov. 8, and of what will now be eight consecutive absences, the last seven will be caused by an issue the Sixers continually characterize as day-to-day.