In a night that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Philadelphia 76ers edged past the Dallas Mavericks 121-114, thanks to a 38-point outing from Tyrese Maxey and a 26-point contribution from rookie VJ Edgecombe. The win marked Philadelphia’s sixth victory in eight games, while Dallas was led by Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis, each scoring 24 points.
Game Overview
The contest began with Dallas tying the score at 104-104 after Flagg’s short jumper with 8:56 left in the fourth quarter. Philadelphia then seized control, launching an 11-0 run that stretched the lead to 115-104. Maxey’s clutch 3-pointer with 6:30 remaining cemented the advantage, and the 76ers never looked back.
Key Performances
- Tyrese Maxey – 38 points, including seven in a pivotal fourth-quarter stretch. He entered third in league scoring at 31.4 points per game and was instrumental in the 11-0 run that shifted momentum.
- VJ Edgecombe – 26 points, adding four of the nine points in the decisive run. Edgecombe, drafted two picks after Flagg, had 23 points and a highlight-reel dunk in the previous game against the Knicks.
- Dominick Barlow – 21 points, providing steady support for Philadelphia.
- Cooper Flagg – 24 points for Dallas, finishing second among NBA rookies in scoring (18.6 ppg) and rebounding (6.4 rpg). The 19-year-old drew “oohs” and “aahs” from the crowd during his back-hand dribble, coast-to-coast layup, and two-handed baseline dunk.
- Anthony Davis – 24 points and 14 rebounds for Dallas, despite battling illness.
Injury and Roster Notes
Philadelphia entered the game without Joel Embiid, who was sidelined for his second consecutive game and 16th of the season due to illness and right-knee injury management. Paul George also missed the contest, recovering from a left-knee injury. Dallas, meanwhile, saw Klay Thompson play with left-knee soreness and Davis manage illness, both listed as probable and questionable respectively before the game.
Game Highlights
- Flagg’s short jumper tied the game at 104-104 with 8:56 left, setting the stage for Philadelphia’s surge.
- Maxey’s seven points in the fourth quarter, including a pivotal 3-pointer, helped the Sixers pull ahead.
- Edgecombe’s early surge, scoring 14 points in the first eight minutes, set the tone for Philadelphia’s offensive firepower.
- Davis’s 14 rebounds for Dallas kept the Mavericks competitive despite the loss.
Upcoming Games
- Mavericks will travel to New Orleans on Monday night.
- 76ers will host the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.
Key Takeaways
- Tyrese Maxey’s 38-point performance, highlighted by a late-game 3-pointer, secured the win.
- VJ Edgecombe’s 26 points and early surge were critical for Philadelphia’s momentum.
- Cooper Flagg’s 24 points and rookie-level efficiency showcased Dallas’s bright future.
The 76ers’ victory underscores their resilience and depth, even while missing key players, and sets the stage for a competitive week ahead as they prepare to face the Nets.
