Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey orchestrated a masterful performance, slicing through the Dallas Mavericks' defense to lead his team to a decisive 123-108 victory on Friday, January 2, 2026 (Philippine Time). The win improved the 76ers' record to 18-14, while the struggling Mavericks dropped their fourth consecutive game, falling to 12-23.
Maxey's Masterclass and Rookie Contributions
Tyrese Maxey was the undeniable catalyst for Philadelphia, posting an impressive stat line of 34 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds. He was not alone, however, as the 76ers' impressive rookie, V.J. Edgecombe, made a significant impact with 23 points. Veteran stars Joel Embiid and Paul George added 22 and 14 points respectively, while Quentin Grimes chipped in with 19 points.
The Mavericks started strong, controlling the early pace and holding a 33-27 lead at the end of the first quarter. Klay Thompson even scored the first points of the second period for Dallas. However, the game's momentum shifted dramatically shortly after.
The Game-Changing Run
Philadelphia responded to Thompson's basket with a devastating 17-2 offensive rally that completely turned the tide. During this burst, Joel Embiid completed a three-point play, while both Maxey and Grimes sank three-pointers. Paul George capped off the run with four consecutive points of his own.
In what seemed like a blink of an eye, the 76ers transformed a deficit into a 44-37 advantage. They continued to build on that lead, entering halftime with a comfortable 68-57 score.
Mavericks' Late Push Falls Short
The 76ers maintained a double-digit lead for much of the third quarter, but the Mavericks mounted a serious comeback attempt in the final period. Dallas managed to cut the lead down to just four points, trailing 90-94 early in the fourth quarter.
Philadelphia, led by Quentin Grimes, quickly regrouped and executed key plays to re-establish control, pushing their lead back to 107-96. The Mavericks made one last charge, closing the gap to 115-108, but it proved to be their final threat.
A clutch jumper from Tyrese Maxey and a three-pointer from Quentin Grimes in the closing moments sealed the victory for the 76ers, opening the door wide for the 123-108 final score.
For the Mavericks, Max Christie led the scoring with 18 points. Brandon Williams contributed 14 points, Anthony Davis had 13, and the highly-touted No. 1 rookie Cooper Flagg was limited to just 12 points in the loss.
