Get ready for a thrilling NBA showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats! The Philadelphia 76ers dominated the Dallas Mavericks with a 123-108 victory on January 1, 2026, but it wasn’t just the score that made this game unforgettable. Tyrese Maxey stole the spotlight with a jaw-dropping 34 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds, while Joel Embiid chipped in 22 points, solidifying the 76ers' win. But here’s where it gets even more exciting: rookie guard VJ Edgecombe, playing just 100 miles from his alma mater Baylor, dropped 23 points—a stellar follow-up to his game-winning 3-pointer just two nights prior in a 139-136 overtime thriller against Memphis. Talk about a breakout star in the making!
And this is the part most people miss: Anthony Davis, the oft-injured 10-time All-Star, made his return for the Mavericks after a two-game absence due to a sore adductor muscle. Despite his 13 points and eight rebounds, Dallas couldn’t avoid their fourth consecutive loss, matching their season’s worst streak. Is Davis the missing piece the Mavs need, or is their struggle deeper than one player’s absence?
Rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick, contributed 12 points, while Max Christie led the Mavericks with 18. Meanwhile, former Maverick Quentin Grimes—part of the infamous Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade saga—shined with 19 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks. Was that trade a win for Dallas, or did they lose more than they gained? Grimes’ 11-point fourth quarter, including three perfect 3-pointers, nearly turned the tide, but it wasn’t enough.
Paul George sparked a 17-2 run in the second quarter, giving Philadelphia a 44-37 lead they’d never relinquish. The Mavericks’ hot 65% shooting in the first quarter fizzled to 38% for the rest of the game, with Davis and Flagg combining for a lackluster 11-of-28 from the field. Maxey’s hometown heroics (14-of-24 shooting) and Edgecombe’s efficiency (9-of-14) powered the Sixers to a 53% shooting night.
What does this game say about the future of these teams? Are the 76ers contenders, or is this just a fluke? The 76ers now head to the New York Knicks to wrap up a five-game road trip, while the Mavericks host the Houston Rockets, desperate to snap their losing streak. One thing’s for sure: this game left fans with plenty to debate. What’s your take? Let us know in the comments!
