DALLAS — The Philadelphia 76ers kicked off 2026 with a statement win on the road, dismantling the Dallas Mavericks 123-108 at the American Airlines Center on Thursday night.
While much of the pre-game hype focused on the marquee big-man matchup between Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis, it was the backcourt that stole the show. Tyrese Maxey, playing in front of family and friends in his hometown, erupted for a game-high 34 points, adding 10 assists and 8 rebounds in a near triple-double performance that left the Mavericks’ defense scrambling all evening.
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The Sixers got a massive boost from their rookie sensation, V.J. Edgecombe. The Baylor product looked right at home just 100 miles from his college campus, pouring in 23 points on efficient shooting. His energy was infectious on the defensive end as well, where he swiped 4 steals, disrupting Dallas’ rhythm and fueling the Sixers’ transition offense.
Embiid Steady, Grimes Closes the Door
Joel Embiid had a relatively quiet but effective night by his standards, tallying 22 points and anchoring the paint. However, the unsung hero of the night was Quentin Grimes. Grimes caught fire in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 of his 19 points in the final frame to snuff out any hope of a Dallas comeback. His two-way play—highlighted by 7 rebounds and 3 blocks—was instrumental in extending the Sixers’ lead when the Mavericks threatened to make a run.
Mavs Struggles Continue
For Dallas (12-23), the misery continues as they dropped their fourth straight game. Anthony Davis, returning from a two-game absence due to a sore adductor, looked rusty, finishing with just 13 points and 8 rebounds. Rookie No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg showed flashes with 12 points, but the Mavericks simply couldn’t match Philadelphia’s firepower or defensive intensity. Max Christie led Dallas with 18 points, a bright spot in an otherwise bleak outing.
Key Stats:
- PHI: Tyrese Maxey (34 pts, 10 ast), V.J. Edgecombe (23 pts, 4 stl), Joel Embiid (22 pts).
- DAL: Max Christie (18 pts), Anthony Davis (13 pts, 8 reb), Cooper Flagg (12 pts).
What’s Next?
The Sixers (18-14) will look to keep the momentum rolling as they head north to face the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night to wrap up their five-game road trip.
Written by Carey Iona (The Flyin Hawaiian)
