Honestly, if you looked at the box score of the New Year’s Day game between the 76ers vs Dallas Mavericks, you might think it was just another mid-season NBA slog. It wasn't. Philadelphia’s 123-108 win at the American Airlines Center officially closed the book on their regular-season meetings for 2025-26, and the takeaway is pretty clear: the Sixers have Dallas’s number right now.
Philadelphia swept the season series 2-0.
But the "how" is way more interesting than the "who." We’re talking about a Dallas team that has Anthony Davis and the most hyped rookie since LeBron, Cooper Flagg, yet they couldn't stop Tyrese Maxey from basically treating their perimeter defense like a layup line. It’s a weird time to be a Mavs fan.
The Maxey Problem Dallas Can’t Solve
Tyrese Maxey is just a different human being when he plays against his hometown team. In the January 1st win, he dropped 34 points, handed out 10 assists, and grabbed 8 rebounds. He was 14-of-24 from the field. Basically, every time Dallas tried to mount a run in the fourth quarter, Maxey would hit a contested floater or a deep three to shut the crowd up.
It wasn't just a fluke, either.
Back in December, when these two teams met in Philly, Maxey went off for 38 points. That 121-114 Sixers win happened without Joel Embiid or Paul George on the floor. Think about that. Dallas had their stars, Philly was missing their MVPs, and Maxey still carried the Sixers to a win.
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The Mavericks’ backcourt—currently rotating guys like Brandon Williams and Ryan Nembhard while Kyrie Irving recovers from knee surgery—just doesn't have the lateral quickness to keep Maxey in front.
VJ Edgecombe vs Cooper Flagg: The Rookie Subplot
If you follow the draft, this matchup was billed as the "Battle of the Top Picks."
- Cooper Flagg: The No. 1 overall pick for Dallas.
- VJ Edgecombe: The Sixers' explosive rookie out of Baylor.
Flagg has been great this season, don't get me wrong. He's averaging nearly a double-double and making highlight plays every night. But in the 76ers vs Dallas Mavericks head-to-head, Edgecombe arguably looked like the more impactful pro-ready scorer.
In the January 1st game, Edgecombe dropped 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting. He’s got this fearless downhill game that complements Maxey perfectly. Flagg finished that same game with 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. Solid? Sure. But he struggled with the physicality of Philly's frontcourt.
Why the Mavericks are Struggling (It's Not Just Injuries)
Look, I know Kyrie is out. I know Dereck Lively II and Dante Exum are sidelined for the season. That hurts. But even with Anthony Davis back in the lineup on New Year’s Day—he played 33 minutes and looked physically fine—the Mavs’ defense was a sieve.
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They allowed the Sixers to shoot 53% from the floor.
One of the weirdest parts of this season for Dallas has been the trade fallout. They moved Luka Doncic to the Lakers last season in that massive blockbuster for Anthony Davis. While AD is still an elite rim protector, the Mavs’ offense often looks stagnant without a world-class playmaker to set the table. Max Christie led them with 18 points in the last loss, which tells you everything you need to know about their current scoring hierarchy.
The Embiid Factor
Joel Embiid played in the second game after missing the first meeting with knee management. He didn't have to be "MVP Joel" for Philly to win. He put up 22 points and focused on being a vertical spacer and a defensive deterrent.
His presence meant Anthony Davis couldn't just camp in the paint. When AD has to respect Embiid out to the three-point line, it opens up those massive driving lanes for Maxey and Edgecombe. It’s a schematic nightmare for Jason Kidd.
What This Means for the Standings
Right now, the Sixers are trending upward. After a "joyless slog" of a 2024-25 season, as some analysts put it, Philly finally looks healthy and cohesive. They've gone 5-2 to start January 2026.
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Meanwhile, Dallas is sitting at 12th in the West. They’re 15-26 overall and have struggled significantly on the road. Losing both games to Philadelphia hurts their chances of climbing back into the Play-In conversation, especially since they can't seem to find a consistent secondary scorer behind AD.
Actionable Insights for the Rest of the Season
If you're betting on or following these teams for the remainder of the 2026 season, keep these factors in mind:
- Watch the Sixers' Depth: With Kelly Oubre and Trendon Watford back, Philly is actually deep. They aren't just the "Embiid and Maxey show" anymore.
- Mavs' Perimeter Defense: Until Kyrie returns or they make a move for a defensive guard, the Mavs will continue to get torched by elite scoring guards.
- The Edgecombe Ascent: VJ Edgecombe is a serious Rookie of the Year dark horse. His efficiency in the two games against Dallas was elite for a first-year player.
The season series is over, but the trajectory of these two franchises couldn't be more different. Philly looks like a team that could make noise in the East, while Dallas is desperately trying to keep their season from spiraling before the All-Star break.
Keep an eye on the injury report for the Mavericks’ next few home games; if Anthony Davis’s adductor soreness flares up again, things could get even uglier in the Big D. On the flip side, the Sixers are finally "as close to full strength as an NBA team can be in January," and it shows in the win column.