Tyrese Maxey scored 33 points and dished out 13 assists as the Philadelphia 76ers secured a 118-116 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night. Joel Embiid returned after a month-long absence and posted a triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Embiid, playing in just his 14th game of the season, wore a bulky brace on his left knee but showed no signs of hesitation. His layup with 22 seconds left put the Sixers ahead for good, and he sealed the win with a crucial rebound and defensive stop on the final possession.
Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 34 points, while Naji Marshall contributed 19. Max Christie added 15 off the bench for Dallas, which fell to 0-2 since trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Anthony Davis, acquired in the blockbuster deal, did not play due to an abdominal injury but was seen courtside. Maxey and Embiid carried the offensive load for Philadelphia, while Kelly Oubre Jr. and Guerschon Yabusele combined for 28 points.
The Sixers led 36-31 after the first quarter, but Dallas responded with a 34-point second period to take a halftime lead. A dominant 36-22 third quarter from Philadelphia shifted momentum, setting up a tense final frame.
Embiid shot 12-of-23 from the field but struggled at the line, going 4-of-9. Despite the inefficiency from the stripe, his presence was enough to lift the Sixers to an important win.
Nick Nurse confirmed before the game that Embiid had no minutes restriction, and the former MVP logged 36 minutes in his first action since sustaining the knee injury.
Irving kept Dallas in the game, scoring 10 points in the fourth quarter, but his late-game efforts fell short. The Mavericks shot 47.1% from the field but went just 11-of-33 from three-point range, matching the Sixers’ 33.3% mark from deep.
Paul George missed his fifth straight game for Philadelphia due to a finger injury, while Quentin Grimes, acquired in a pregame trade, was inactive. Caleb Martin, who was sent to Dallas in the deal, also did not suit up.
The win improves Philadelphia to 20-29, while Dallas falls to 26-25 and remains 11th in the Western Conference standings.
