76ers stay hot, top Mavericks without Joel Embiid, Paul George

Field Level Media|published: Sat 20th December, 21:57 2025

Dec 20, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) controls the ball against Dallas Mavericks guard Ryan Nembhard (9) during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe combined for 64 points, including all 11 in a fourth-quarter burst that propelled the Philadelphia 76ers to a 121-114 home win over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night.

Maxey finished with a game-high 38 points, Edgecombe added 26 and Dominick Barlow had 21 for the 76ers, who were able to win for the fifth time in their last seven games despite the absence of Joel Embiid and Paul George.

Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg had 24 points apiece and Naji Marshall 22 for the Mavericks, who forged the third tie of the fourth quarter at 104-all on a Flagg jumper in the fourth minute of the period before the 76ers took charge.

Maxey gave the hosts the lead for good on a driving floater with 8:42 remaining, then alternated scoring in an 11-0 flurry with Edgecombe, who had a pair of interior hoops in the run.

Maxey added two free throws and a 3-pointer, the latter completing the burst that put the 76ers up 115-104 with 6:35 left.

Seeking a seventh win in their last nine games, the Mavericks got no closer than five the rest of the way.

Maxey shot 15-for-31, Edgecombe 10-for-21 and Barlow 9-for-13 for the 76ers, who won despite getting outshot 54% to 43%.

The difference in the game came from beyond the arc, from where Philadelphia outscored the visitors 36-9, making 12 of 40 while the Mavericks misfired on 15 of 18. Maxey went 5-for-11 from deep and Edgecombe 3-for-11.

Andre Drummond contributed a team-high 12 rebounds to the win, Quentin Grimes a game-high seven assists, and Jared McCain and Adem Bona 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Davis' 24 points came as part of a double-double with a game-high 14 rebounds for the Mavericks. Marshall also recorded a double-double with 10 boards to complement his 22 points.

The visitors' overall shooting edge was mostly the product of Davis going 11-for-20, Flagg 8-for-16 and Marshall 9-for-12.

P.J. Washington totaled 15 points, while Klay Thompson and Brandon Williams also reached double figures with 10 apiece for Dallas.

- Field Level Media

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