The Philadelphia 76ers opened the new year with the kind of road win that travels. A steady, decisive 123-108 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas pushed the 76ers to 18-14 and set a tone for January: fast, focused, and driven by guards who make smart plays. Dallas fell to 12-23, unable to keep up with Philadelphia’s pace and pressure for four full quarters.

Tyrese Maxey was the difference. He stacked the box score with 34 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds, a performance that shouted control and calm in equal measure. Around him, two key wings stepped up. VJ Edgecombe brought energy and force, scoring 23 with 5 boards and a game-shaping 4 steals. Max Christie added 18 points, including two threes, and gave the 76ers dependable spacing whenever they needed a steady bucket.

The film will show big shots, but this game was about simple winning habits: protect the ball, attack the paint, make the extra pass, and turn defense into easy points. Philadelphia checked each box.

Tyrese Maxey drives 76ers past Mavericks

Maxey’s line speaks for itself. Thirty-four points show the scoring punch. Ten assists highlight the trust and timing with his teammates. Eight rebounds reveal the effort, especially for a guard. In short, he dictated tempo. When the 76ers needed a burst, he pushed. When they needed a clean look, he delivered the pass on time.

What stands out most is how complete the night was. Maxey didn’t just score; he organized the offense. He didn’t just drive; he finished plays by finding open shooters or cutters. That is what winning point guards do on the road. It keeps the crowd quiet and the game on Philadelphia’s terms.

In a game that finished with a 15-point margin, those little choices added up. With Maxey at the controls, the 76ers looked balanced and confident.

“Maxey looked like the engine and the brakes — he decided every trip.”

VJ Edgecombe sparks Philadelphia’s defense and pace

Edgecombe’s 23 points will catch the eye, but the 4 steals told the story. Live-ball turnovers break opponents’ rhythm and usually turn into layups or free throws. That is exactly what Philadelphia needed on the road: extra possessions and pressure that forced Dallas into mistakes.

Edgecombe’s activity showed up everywhere. He helped on the glass with 5 boards. He chased loose balls. He jumped passing lanes. Those plays are not flashy on their own, but they add energy that spreads to the whole team. When your wing is reading the game like that, the floor suddenly feels tilted your way.

For a 76ers team looking to stack wins, that two-way spark may be as valuable as any single shot. It gives the coaching staff options and lets Maxey play even faster in space.

“Edgecombe’s hands changed the game; four steals felt like eight.”

Max Christie finds rhythm as a timely floor-spacer

Christie’s 18 points came with two made threes and smart reads in the half court. His value is simple: keep the defense honest. When he knocks down open looks and moves the ball, the court opens for Maxey and the downhill game gets easier.

Christie didn’t force it. He took the right shots, made two assists, and stayed within the flow. On the road, that steadiness is gold. The 76ers got it in full from him.

“If Christie is hitting shots like that, Philly’s half-court hums.”

What the 123-108 road win means for the Philadelphia 76ers

At 18-14, the 76ers are building a profile that travels. The elements are clear: a lead guard who can score or set up, wings who defend and run, and shooters who punish help. It is a simple formula, but it works because the effort is there on both ends.

This is also about trust. Maxey’s 10 assists show that teammates moved into space knowing the ball would arrive. Edgecombe’s steals reflect a team ready to rotate behind him. Christie’s threes show a group that understands when to drive and when to kick. These are connected actions that grow with reps, and they showed up in Dallas.

There is a long season ahead, but this is a road map for the 76ers. Keep the ball in Maxey’s hands, defend with length and urgency, and make the next pass. Do that, and nights like this stack quickly.

Dallas Mavericks: where it slipped in 76ers vs Mavericks

Dallas scored 108, which is usually enough to stay in most games at home. The problem was the other side of the ball. Philadelphia reached 123 by living in the paint, getting into the teeth of the defense, and capitalizing on giveaways, highlighted by Edgecombe’s 4 steals.

When a guard like Maxey is in rhythm, you have to shrink the floor without losing shooters in the corners. That balance is hard, but it’s the job. Dallas didn’t find it often enough. The Mavericks will also look at ball security. Each live-ball turnover gave the 76ers a runway and put the Mavericks on their heels.

At 12-23, the fix is about details: protect the dribble, stay solid at the point of attack, and close possessions cleanly. The effort was there in stretches, but the execution did not match Philadelphia’s consistency.

Simple numbers, clear story

Sometimes the box score is the best summary. Maxey’s 34-10-8 shows a star driving the bus. Edgecombe’s 23 points and 4 steals show the hustle and the swing plays. Christie’s 18 points and two threes show the support scoring every winning team needs.

Add it up, and you get a double-digit road win to start the calendar year, built on defense, pace, and smart guard play.

What’s next after 76ers vs Mavericks

For Philadelphia, the goal is repeatability. Keep the ball popping, stay active in the passing lanes, and let Maxey’s decision-making set the tone. Wins like this build belief and standings equity in a tight Eastern race.

For Dallas, it’s about responses. Tighten the handle, cut down the live-ball mistakes, and find answers for quick guards who bend the defense. The talent is there to score; now it’s about making it harder for opponents to reach 120.

New year, new chances. The 76ers seized theirs in Dallas. The Mavericks will look for theirs next time out.