Game ID: 22500473
Philadelphia 76ers @ Dallas Mavericks
Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 8:30 PM ET
American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
DAL 33 24 26 25 108PHI 27 41 24 31 123
DAL vs PHI ScoutingDAL vs PHI Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
DAL availability going into 12/23 · back-to-backOUT Powell missed 3 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Cisse missed 3 since 12/18, out tonight
BACK Gafford back 12/15 after 3, 14 min since (65% of 22)
BACK Russell back 12/18 after 2, 11 min since (59% of 19)
BACK Martin back 12/22 after 4, 17 min since (114% of 15)
BACK Hardy back 12/22 after 2, 11 min since (87% of 13)
NEW Nembhard 20 to 26 min over the last 5
DAL availability going into 12/25 · 1 day's restOUT Christie missed 2 since 12/22, returns tonight: 34 min (115% of 29)
OUT Powell missed 4 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Cisse missed 4 since 12/18, out tonight
BACK Gafford back 12/15 after 3, 15 min since (68% of 22)
BACK Russell back 12/18 after 2, 12 min since (66% of 19)
BACK Martin back 12/22 after 4, 21 min since (141% of 15)
BACK Hardy back 12/22 after 2, 19 min since (154% of 13)
NEW Flagg 34 to 39 min over the last 5
NEW Nembhard 20 to 29 min over the last 5
DAL availability going into 12/27 · 1 day's restOUT Powell missed 5 since 12/18, returns tonight: 19 min (134% of 14)
OUT Cisse missed 5 since 12/18, returns tonight: 6 min (42% of 14)
BACK Christie back 12/25 after 2, 34 min since (115% of 29)
BACK Russell back 12/18 after 2, 12 min since (66% of 19)
BACK Martin back 12/22 after 4, 17 min since (115% of 15)
BACK Hardy back 12/22 after 2, 19 min since (154% of 13)
DAL availability going into 12/29 · 1 day's restBACK Christie back 12/25 after 2, 32 min since (109% of 29)
BACK Martin back 12/22 after 4, 14 min since (96% of 15)
BACK Powell back 12/27 after 5, 19 min since (134% of 14)
BACK Cisse back 12/27 after 5, 6 min since (42% of 14)
BACK Hardy back 12/22 after 2, 15 min since (122% of 13)
DAL availability going into 1/01 · 2 days' restOUT Davis missed 2 since 12/27, returns tonight: 37 min (118% of 31)
BACK Christie back 12/25 after 2, 31 min since (105% of 29)
BACK Martin back 12/22 after 4, 13 min since (86% of 15)
BACK Powell back 12/27 after 5, 18 min since (129% of 14)
BACK Cisse back 12/27 after 5, 6 min since (42% of 14)
BACK Hardy back 12/22 after 2, 15 min since (122% of 13)
DAL availability going into 1/03 · 1 day's restOUT Russell missed 2 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT Cisse missed 2 since 12/29, out tonight
BACK Davis back 1/01 after 2, 37 min since (118% of 31)
BACK Christie back 12/25 after 2, 30 min since (104% of 29)
BACK Powell back 12/27 after 5, 18 min since (129% of 14)
DAL availability going into 1/06 · 2 days' restOUT Russell missed 3 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT Powell missed 2 since 1/01, out tonight
OUT Cisse missed 3 since 12/29, out tonight
BACK Davis back 1/01 after 2, 38 min since (121% of 31)
BACK Christie back 12/25 after 2, 31 min since (107% of 29)
DAL availability going into 1/08 · 1 day's restOUT Russell missed 4 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT Powell missed 3 since 1/01, out tonight
OUT Cisse missed 4 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT Hardy missed 2 since 1/03, out tonight
BACK Davis back 1/01 after 2, 37 min since (119% of 31)
DAL availability going into 1/10 · 1 day's restOUT Washington missed 2 since 1/06, out tonight
OUT Russell missed 5 since 12/29, returns tonight: 19 min (101% of 19)
OUT Powell missed 4 since 1/01, returns tonight: 1 min (7% of 14)
OUT Cisse missed 5 since 12/29, returns tonight: 19 min (140% of 14)
OUT Hardy missed 3 since 1/03, returns tonight: 13 min (101% of 13)
BACK Davis back 1/01 after 2, 37 min since (117% of 31)
PHI availability going into 12/23 · 2 days' restOUT Embiid missed 2 since 12/19, returns tonight: 32 min (99% of 32)
OUT Oubre Jr. missed 15 since 11/17, out tonight
OUT Watford missed 10 since 11/28, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 7 since 12/04, returns tonight: 17 min (139% of 12)
BACK Maxey back 12/19 after 2, 39 min since (102% of 38)
BACK Bona back 12/19 after 3, 20 min since (121% of 16)
PHI availability going into 12/26 · 2 days' restOUT Oubre Jr. missed 16 since 11/17, out tonight
OUT Watford missed 11 since 11/28, out tonight
BACK Maxey back 12/19 after 2, 39 min since (103% of 38)
BACK Embiid back 12/23 after 2, 32 min since (99% of 32)
BACK Bona back 12/19 after 3, 19 min since (118% of 16)
BACK Gordon back 12/23 after 7, 17 min since (139% of 12)
NEW Barlow 22 to 27 min over the last 4
NEW McCain 17 to 24 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 12/28 · 1 day's restOUT Oubre Jr. missed 17 since 11/17, out tonight
OUT Watford missed 12 since 11/28, out tonight
BACK Maxey back 12/19 after 2, 40 min since (103% of 38)
BACK Embiid back 12/23 after 2, 32 min since (100% of 32)
BACK Bona back 12/19 after 3, 16 min since (100% of 16)
BACK Gordon back 12/23 after 7, 17 min since (139% of 12)
NEW McCain 17 to 25 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 12/30 · 1 day's restOUT Oubre Jr. missed 18 since 11/17, out tonight
OUT Watford missed 13 since 11/28, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 2 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK Maxey back 12/19 after 2, 39 min since (102% of 38)
BACK Embiid back 12/23 after 2, 32 min since (100% of 32)
BACK Bona back 12/19 after 3, 19 min since (115% of 16)
NEW McCain 17 to 26 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 1/01 · 1 day's restOUT Oubre Jr. missed 19 since 11/17, out tonight
OUT Watford missed 14 since 11/28, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 3 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK Embiid back 12/23 after 2, 34 min since (106% of 32)
NEW McCain 17 to 24 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 1/03 · 1 day's restOUT Oubre Jr. missed 20 since 11/17, out tonight
OUT Watford missed 15 since 11/28, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 4 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK Embiid back 12/23 after 2, 34 min since (107% of 32)
PHI availability going into 1/05 · 1 day's restOUT Oubre Jr. missed 21 since 11/17, out tonight
OUT Watford missed 16 since 11/28, out tonight
OUT Edwards missed 2 since 1/01, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 5 since 12/26, out tonight
PHI availability going into 1/07 · 1 day's restOUT Oubre Jr. missed 22 since 11/17, returns tonight: 20 min (64% of 32)
OUT Drummond missed 2 since 1/03, returns tonight: 12 min (67% of 18)
OUT Watford missed 17 since 11/28, returns tonight: 5 min (32% of 15)
OUT Edwards missed 3 since 1/01, returns tonight: 6 min (40% of 15)
OUT Gordon missed 6 since 12/26, out tonight
NEW Grimes 28 to 34 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 1/09 · 1 day's restOUT Gordon missed 7 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK Oubre Jr. back 1/07 after 22, 20 min since (64% of 32)
BACK Drummond back 1/07 after 2, 12 min since (67% of 18)
BACK Watford back 1/07 after 17, 5 min since (32% of 15)
BACK Edwards back 1/07 after 3, 6 min since (40% of 15)
NEW Grimes 28 to 35 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Dallas comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 123, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Davis at 23 and Flagg at 23 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Davis (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 120, shooting 42 percent and 32 from three, 28 free throws a game; Embiid at 31 and Maxey at 28 a game. Without Oubre Jr. (19 straight), Watford (14 straight). One day's rest.
So: Dallas wins, and the game turns on the line, where Philadelphia takes 28 free throws a game to Dallas's 20 and the arc, Dallas at 37 percent from three to Philadelphia's 32. Call it Dallas 118, Philadelphia 117, Philadelphia keeping it close.
12/23 vs DEN 131-130 — DAL notes
DAL won 131-130. DAL shot 57% (53 of 93) to DEN's 57%, 11 of 27 from three. DAL turned it over 10 times to DEN's 15. Flagg led with 33 (14 of 21, 4 of 6 from three); Davis added 31, Marshall 15. The hinge was Q1, 41-27: from level to 14 ahead, and the lead reached 21. Nembhard was the night's best plus/minus at +24.
12/25 @ GSW 116-126 — DAL notes
DAL lost 116-126. DAL shot 55% (49 of 89) to GSW's 44%, 4 of 14 from three. Flagg led with 27 (13 of 21, 1 of 3 from three); Williams added 26, Washington 14. Q3 was theirs, 31-29, the deficit cut from 13 to 11, but the other 3 periods went 97-85 against them. Williams's -17 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/27 @ SAC 107-113 — DAL notes
DAL lost 107-113. DAL shot 46% (40 of 87) to SAC's 43%, 13 of 27 from three, and went to the line 20 times to SAC's 8 — 14 points from the stripe to their 6. DAL turned it over 19 times to SAC's 11, and SAC turned those into 16 steals. Flagg led with 23 (7 of 13, 3 of 4 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Washington added 17, Thompson 14. Q4 was theirs, 30-25, the deficit cut from 11 to 6, but the other 3 periods went 88-77 against them. Nembhard's -10 in 17 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/29 @ POR 122-125 — DAL notes
DAL lost 122-125. DAL shot 51% (46 of 91) to POR's 47%, 11 of 32 from three. Christie led with 25 (8 of 12, 5 of 7 from three); Williams added 22, Marshall 17. Q3 was theirs, 30-22, the deficit cut from 12 to 4, but the other 3 periods went 103-92 against them. Christie's -12 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/01 vs PHI 108-123 — DAL notes
DAL lost 108-123. DAL shot 45% (42 of 94) to PHI's 53%, 6 of 28 from three. Christie led with 18 (7 of 13, 2 of 7 from three); Williams added 14, Davis 13. Q1 was theirs, 33-27, but the other 3 periods went 96-75 against them. Washington's -22 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/03 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Dallas comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 123, shooting 51 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Flagg at 22 and Williams at 18 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Russell (2 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 108, shooting 54 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Durant at 26 and Thompson at 20 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 16 a night. One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-16 a night and Dallas minus-3 and the defense, Houston allowing 108 a night to Dallas's 123. Call it Houston 118, Dallas 114, Dallas keeping it close.
1/06 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 99 a night and allowing 124, shooting 44 percent and 30 from three, 22 free throws a game; DeRozan at 16 and Westbrook at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Sabonis (22 straight), Plowden (24 straight), Monk (2 straight). One day's rest. Dallas comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 118, shooting 50 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Williams at 19 and Christie at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Russell (3 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Dallas wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Dallas at 34 percent from three to Sacramento's 30. Call it Dallas 116, Sacramento 113, Sacramento keeping it close.
1/08 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 127, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Markkanen at 27 and George at 25 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Kessler (31 straight), Harkless (22 straight), Anderson (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Dallas comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 113, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Davis at 19 and Christie at 17 a game. Without Russell (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Dallas wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Dallas allowing 113 a night to Utah's 127. Call it Dallas 118, Utah 117, Utah keeping it close.
1/10 @ CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 113, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 17 free throws a game; Buzelis at 21 and Vučević at 19 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Giddey (5 straight), Smith (2 straight), Collins (6 straight). 2 days' rest. Dallas comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 113, shooting 48 percent and 33 from three, 19 free throws a game; Davis at 20 and Christie at 19 a game. Without Washington (2 straight), Russell (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Dallas giving it away 15 times a game to Chicago's 12. Call it Chicago 115, Dallas 114, Dallas keeping it close.
12/23 vs BKN 106-114 — PHI notes
PHI lost 106-114. PHI shot 41% (33 of 81) to BKN's 43%, 7 of 27 from three. Embiid led with 27 (8 of 13, 10 of 12 at the line); George added 19, Maxey 13. Q4 was theirs, 29-25, the deficit cut from 12 to 8, but the other 3 periods went 89-77 against them. Maxey's -19 in 39 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/26 @ CHI 102-109 — PHI notes
PHI lost 102-109. PHI shot 38% (35 of 93) to CHI's 44%, 11 of 39 from three. Embiid led with 31 (10 of 19, 2 of 4 from three, 9 of 9 at the line); Maxey added 27, George 15. Q2 was theirs, 24-19, turning a 2-point deficit into a 3-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 90-78 against them. They led by as many as 11. Grimes's -21 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/28 @ OKC 104-129 — PHI notes
PHI lost 104-129. PHI shot 42% (35 of 83) to OKC's 57%, 17 of 43 from three. PHI turned it over 23 times to OKC's 13, and OKC turned those into 12 steals. Maxey led with 28 (10 of 18, 2 of 7 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Grimes added 13, George 12. Q2 was theirs, 33-32, the deficit cut from 3 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 97-71 against them. Edgecombe's -23 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/30 @ MEM 139-136 — PHI notes
PHI won 139-136 in 1 overtime. PHI shot 46% (51 of 111) to MEM's 55%, 15 of 42 from three. PHI turned it over 8 times to MEM's 20. The glass went 41-51 against them. Maxey led with 34 (13 of 21, 4 of 7 from three); Embiid added 34, Edgecombe 25. The hinge was Q2, 38-32: PHI came in trailing by 6 and left it level. Grimes was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
1/01 @ DAL 123-108 — PHI notes
PHI won 123-108. PHI shot 53% (48 of 90) to DAL's 45%, 13 of 36 from three. Maxey led with 34 (14 of 24, 4 of 10 from three); Edgecombe added 23, Embiid 22. The hinge was Q2, 41-24: PHI came in trailing by 6 and left it ahead by 11, and the lead reached 15. George was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
1/03 @ NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 124, shooting 45 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Brunson at 30 and Towns at 20 a game. Without Hart (4 straight), Shamet (18 straight), Robinson (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 119, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 25 free throws a game; Embiid at 28 and Maxey at 27 a game. Without Oubre Jr. (20 straight), Watford (15 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the arc, New York at 39 percent from three to Philadelphia's 34. Call it New York 120, Philadelphia 117, Philadelphia keeping it close.
1/05 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 120, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Maxey at 32 and Embiid at 28 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Oubre Jr. (21 straight), Watford (16 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 123, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Murray at 25 and Watson at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Jokić (3 straight), Johnson (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Philadelphia has been minus-1 a night and Denver minus-7. Call it Philadelphia 121, Denver 117, Denver keeping it close.
1/07 vs WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 123, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Maxey at 32 and Embiid at 28 a game. Without Oubre Jr. (22 straight), Drummond (2 straight), Watford (17 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; McCollum at 20 and Sarr at 14 a game. Without George (6 straight), Watkins (4 straight), Cooper (17 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the defense, Washington allowing 116 a night to Philadelphia's 123. Call it Philadelphia 122, Washington 115.
1/09 @ ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 116, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Banchero at 26 and Bane at 17 a game. Without Fra. Wagner (13 straight), Suggs (3 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 120, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Maxey at 31 and Embiid at 28 a game. One day's rest.
So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Orlando giving it away 15 times a game to Philadelphia's 11. Call it Orlando 119, Philadelphia 118, Philadelphia keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
DALAD A. Davis
BW B. Williams
CF C. Flagg
CM C. Martin
DG D. Gafford
JH J. Hardy
KT K. Thompson
MC M. Christie
NM N. Marshall
PW P. Washington
RN R. Nembhard
PHIAB A. Bona
AD A. Drummond
DB D. Barlow
JE J. Embiid
JM J. McCain
JW J. Walker
PG P. George
QG Q. Grimes
TM T. Maxey
VE V. Edgecombe
DAL/PHI the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Tyrese Maxey scores 34 in strong all-around showing as 76ers beat Mavs 123-108
DALLAS -- — Tyrese Maxey had 34 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, Joel Embiid scored 22 points and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Dallas Mavericks 123-108 on Thursday night.
Rookie guard VJ Edgecombe , the one-and-done player from Baylor playing 100 miles from his college campus for the first time, scored 23 points two nights after hitting a 3-pointer in the final seconds of a 139-136 overtime victory at Memphis.
Oft-injured Anthony Davis returned for Dallas after missing two games with a sore adductor muscle. The 10-time All-Star finished with 13 points and eight rebounds as the Mavs matched their season worst with a fourth consecutive loss.
Rookie No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg scored 12 points for the Mavericks, who were led by Max Christie 's 18 points.
Former Maverick Quentin Grimes , part of a different trade last season soon after the infamous swap of Luka Doncic for Davis between Dallas and the Los Angeles Lakers , had 19 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.
The 76ers were up six when Grimes had a steal and dunk to trigger his 11-point fourth quarter, when he made all three of his 3-point attempts and had one of his blocks.
Paul George scored 14 points, starting and ending a 17-2 run that gave Philadelphia a 44-37 lead in the second quarter.
The Mavericks shot 65% in the first, taking a 33-27 lead before shooting 38% the rest of the way. Davis and Flagg combined to go 11 of 28 from the field.
Maxey was 14 of 24 with a mix of long-range shooting and deft driving in another strong road performance against his hometown team. Edgecombe finished 9 of 14 as the Sixers shot 53%.
Up next 76ers: At the New York Knicks on Saturday to finish a five-game trip.