Philadelphia 76ers vs Dallas Mavericks Recap Maxey Drops 34 in New Year’s Day Win
The Philadelphia 76ers kicked off 2026 in spectacular fashion, securing a commanding 123-108 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center on Thursday night. In a game defined by explosive guard play and a burgeoning "Big Three" chemistry, the Sixers moved to 18-14 on the season, while the struggling Mavericks fell to a disappointing 12-23. The night belonged to Philadelphia’s backcourt, as Tyrese Maxey and rookie sensation VJ Edgecombe combined for 57 points to dismantle the Dallas defense.
Tyrese Maxey Takes Over in Dallas
Returning to his home state of Texas, Tyrese Maxey delivered one of his most complete performances of the season. Maxey was the engine of the Sixers' offense from the opening tip, finishing with a game high 34 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds. His ability to blend lightning-fast drives with precision perimeter shooting left the Mavericks' perimeter defenders searching for answers all night.
Maxey shot an efficient 14 of 24 from the field, including 4 of 10 from beyond the arc. His performance was particularly vital during a pivotal fourth quarter stretch where Dallas attempted to mount a comeback. Any time the Mavericks cut the lead to single digits, Maxey responded with either a timely floater or a kick out pass to an open teammate, effectively icing the game in the final minutes.
The Rise of VJ Edgecombe
While Maxey provided the veteran leadership, rookie guard VJ Edgecombe continued his rapid ascent into NBA stardom. Playing just 100 miles from where he played his college ball at Baylor, Edgecombe looked entirely comfortable on the big stage. He finished with 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals, outshining fellow high profile rookie Cooper Flagg in their head to head matchup.
Edgecombe’s defensive energy was infectious. His four steals matched a career high, and several of those led directly to fast break opportunities that shifted the momentum in Philadelphia’s favor. The rookie’s 9 of 14 shooting performance demonstrated a level of efficiency rarely seen in first year players, further solidifying his status as a frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award.
Joel Embiid and Paul George Find Their Rhythm
For much of the early 2025-2026 season, Sixers fans have waited for the superstar trio of Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey to truly click. Thursday night offered the clearest vision yet of that potential. Joel Embiid, playing with a controlled physical presence, contributed 22 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. While his scoring total was modest by his MVP standards, his gravity in the paint opened up the floor for the shooters.
Paul George added 14 points and 7 rebounds, playing a crucial role in a 17-2 second quarter run that turned a 33-27 deficit into a 44-37 lead. George’s willingness to attack the rim rather than settling for contested mid range jumpers was a notable shift in his playstyle, one that head coach Nick Nurse has been advocating for throughout the road trip.
Mavericks Struggle Despite Anthony Davis’ Return
The Dallas Mavericks entered the contest hoping the return of Anthony Davis would snap their three game losing skid. Davis, who had missed the previous two games with a sore adductor muscle, looked rusty in his return, finishing with 13 points and 8 rebounds on 6 of 13 shooting. The 10 time All Star struggled to find his rhythm against the physical interior defense of Embiid and backup center Andre Drummond.
Rookie Cooper Flagg had a relatively quiet night by his standards, scoring 12 points on 5 of 12 shooting. While he contributed 7 rebounds and 7 assists, the 76ers' defensive game plan clearly focused on making life difficult for the young forward. Max Christie led the Mavericks in scoring with 18 points off the bench, but it wasn't enough to overcome a Dallas offense that shot just 38% after a blistering first quarter.
Turning Point and Key Stats
The game’s momentum shifted permanently in the second quarter. Dallas had opened the game shooting a scorching 65%, but the Philadelphia defense clamped down, holding the Mavs to just 24 points in the second frame while the Sixers exploded for 41.
Key Team Statistics:
Field Goal Percentage: Philadelphia 53.3% | Dallas 44.7%
Three Pointers: Philadelphia 13/36 (36.1%) | Dallas 6/28 (21.4%)
Fast Break Points: Philadelphia 22 | Dallas 11
Points in Paint: Philadelphia 58 | Dallas 42
The bench contribution of Quentin Grimes also proved vital. Facing his former team, Grimes sparked an 11 point fourth quarter outburst, hitting three consecutive three pointers that demoralized the home crowd and pushed the lead back to double digits.
With this victory, the 76ers have won two straight and appear to be finding the "rhythm" that has been the team's buzzword all season. They now head to New York for a highly anticipated showdown with Jalen Brunson and the Knicks on Saturday. For the Mavericks, the loss marks their fourth in a row, leaving head coach Jason Kidd with plenty of questions as they prepare to host the Houston Rockets.
As the NBA season crosses into 2026, the Philadelphia 76ers are finally looking like the Eastern Conference powerhouse they were built to be. If Maxey, Embiid, and George can maintain this level of synergy alongside the emergence of Edgecombe, the rest of the league has been officially put on notice.