Maxey explodes for 34 points and the Sixers surge past Dallas, who falter after a strong start, falling to their fourth consecutive loss.
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks could not sustain an early offensive burst as the Philadelphia 76ers pulled away behind a dominant night from Tyrese Maxey.
Tyrese Maxey finished with 34 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, Joel Embiid added 22 points, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Dallas Mavericks 123-108 on Thursday night, extending Dallas’ skid to four games.
Dallas opened the game in rhythm, shooting 65 percent in the first quarter to build a 33-27 lead. The Mavericks consistently found clean looks early, attacking the paint and moving the ball with purpose. That efficiency did not last. After the opening period, Dallas shot just 38 percent the rest of the way and never fully recovered once Philadelphia seized control in the second quarter.
Paul George helped swing momentum with a pivotal stretch midway through the second. He scored to start and finish a 17-2 run that turned a tight game into a 44-37 Philadelphia lead, setting the tone for what became a steady Sixers advantage the rest of the night.
Maxey was relentless, mixing deep jumpers with sharp drives against a Dallas defense that struggled to keep him in front. He shot 14 of 24 from the field and controlled the game late, repeatedly creating advantages both for himself and his teammates. Philadelphia shot 53 percent overall and 36 percent from three, consistently punishing defensive breakdowns.
Rookie guard VJ Edgecombe continued his strong road stretch, scoring 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting. Playing roughly 100 miles from his Baylor campus for the first time, Edgecombe followed up his game-winning three in Memphis two nights earlier with another efficient performance, providing timely scoring alongside Maxey.
For Dallas, Anthony Davis returned after missing two games with a sore adductor muscle. The 10-time All-Star finished with 13 points and eight rebounds in 37 minutes but was unable to lift a Mavericks offense that struggled to generate consistent spacing. Davis and No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg combined to shoot 11 of 28, a reflection of the offensive stagnation that followed Dallas’ fast start.
Max Christie led the Mavericks with 18 points, while Flagg added 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Dallas’ three-point shooting proved costly, as the Mavericks went just 6 of 28 from beyond the arc, finishing at 21 percent.
Former Maverick Quentin Grimes delivered a decisive fourth-quarter stretch against his former team. Grimes scored 19 points overall, including 11 in the final period, making all three of his three-point attempts while adding seven rebounds and three blocks. A steal and dunk during that run helped push Philadelphia’s lead comfortably into double digits.
Despite holding an edge in points in the paint, Dallas was unable to overcome its perimeter struggles and turnovers. Philadelphia converted 19 points off Dallas miscues and consistently generated second-chance opportunities during key stretches.
The Mavericks now turn their attention to a quick turnaround at home, hoping to reset after a difficult week.
Dallas will host the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.