Quentin Grimes delivered a standout performance against his former team, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 130-125 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.
Grimes scored 28 points, helping the Sixers secure just their third win in their last 18 games. Jalen Hood-Schifino contributed 19 points off the bench, providing a much-needed scoring boost for the struggling Eastern Conference squad.
Dallas, playing without multiple key players, saw P.J. Washington Jr. lead the way with 29 points and 12 rebounds in his return from an eight-game absence due to a sprained right ankle. Klay Thompson and Naji Marshall each added 21 points, but it was not enough to prevent the team from falling a season-worst three games under .500.
The Mavericks remain in 10th place in the Western Conference, holding onto the final play-in tournament spot by 1.5 games over the Phoenix Suns, who lost to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier in the day.
Both teams were severely shorthanded, with 19 total players listed as out. Dallas was missing Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, while Philadelphia played without Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey.
Grimes played a crucial role in closing out the win, making two free throws with 25 seconds left to put Philadelphia ahead 126-123. The Sixers finished the game 20-of-24 from the free-throw line, converting all six of their attempts in the final moments.
Despite a fourth-quarter push from the Mavericks, who outscored Philadelphia 39-32 in the final period, the 76ers held on to secure the win. Philadelphia’s strong third quarter, where they outscored Dallas 34-18, proved to be the difference in the game.
With the loss, the Mavericks continue to struggle since trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers before the deadline. Meanwhile, the Sixers, despite their position near the bottom of the East, showed resilience with their undermanned roster.
