Mavericks vs. Sixers: Flagg’s Rise, Davis’ Return, and a Clash of Two Teams on the Climb
The Dallas Mavericks rolled into Philadelphia riding the high of one of their gutsiest wins of the season - a 116-114 overtime escape against the Detroit Pistons. It was a game that showcased both their growth and their flaws: an 18-point third-quarter lead that evaporated, followed by clutch execution and defensive grit to seal the deal. That’s been the story lately in Dallas - a team learning how to win close games, even as injuries continue to shape their path.
Rookie sensation Cooper Flagg led the way in that Detroit win with 23 points and 10 boards, while Anthony Davis added 15 and 14, showing once again how vital he is to the Mavericks’ interior presence on both ends. The win marked Dallas’ sixth in its last eight games - a far cry from their 5-15 start to the season.
That turnaround hasn’t come easy. With Dereck Lively II and Danté Exum both out for the year, this team has had to dig deep, lean on new faces, and find answers late in games.
Saturday night’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers isn’t just another game on the schedule - it’s a measuring stick, and for Flagg, it marks the end of an early chapter. The rookie turns 19 on Sunday, and he’s been playing like someone far beyond his years.
Over his last eight games, Flagg is averaging 25.4 points, and more importantly, he’s becoming the guy Dallas leans on when the game gets tight. That’s not just rare - it’s borderline historic for a player his age.
Sixers Riding High After Statement Win at MSG
On the other side, Philadelphia is coming off a big-time road win - one that snapped the Knicks’ six-game winning streak at Madison Square Garden. The Sixers became just the second visiting team to leave the Garden with a W this season, and they did it without their MVP, Joel Embiid.
Tyrese Maxey was electric, putting up 30 points and dishing out nine assists, including 11 points in the fourth quarter when the Sixers pulled away. Rookie guard VJ Edgecombe added 23, with 18 of those coming after halftime, and took on a key defensive role as well - another young player stepping up under pressure.
Andre Drummond stepped in for Embiid and turned back the clock, finishing with 14 points and 13 rebounds. He even knocked down three triples - yes, you read that right.
Despite being heavily outrebounded 57-36, Philly held the Knicks to just 1-of-8 shooting from deep in the fourth quarter and outscored them 28-20 in the final frame. That’s how you close on the road.
The Sixers have now won five of their last seven, and even without Embiid, they’re showing they can get it done in different ways.
Mavs Monitoring Key Injuries, Davis Likely In
For Dallas, health remains the wild card. Anthony Davis, who missed time due to illness, was back at shootaround and is listed as probable.
In his 12 games this season, Davis is averaging 19.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists - but the numbers only tell part of the story. He’s been the anchor on defense and a steadying force inside, especially with Lively sidelined.
Klay Thompson, however, is a question mark. He missed shootaround with left knee soreness and remains questionable heading into tipoff. Thompson’s been averaging 10.8 points in 26 appearances this season, and his absence would force Dallas to reshuffle its wing rotation once again - something they’ve become all too familiar with.
Kyrie Irving Still Without Return Timeline
Kyrie Irving continues to rehab from a torn ACL, and while he’s traveling with the team and staying involved, there’s still no timetable for his return. Head coach Jason Kidd made it clear: this isn’t about rushing back or hitting milestones. It’s about getting Kyrie fully right.
“There’s no schedule still,” Kidd said before the Detroit game. “He’s in a good place.
He’s rehabbing. That’s the only update I can really give you - that he’s in a good place and he’s doing everything he’s supposed to.”
For now, the Mavericks are focused on the guys they have - and how they’re coming together.
Brandon Williams on Learning How to Win
Guard Brandon Williams spoke at shootaround about the team’s growth in crunch time. Dallas has been in a lot of close games this year - and early on, they weren’t going their way. But instead of letting those losses pile up mentally, the Mavs used them as fuel.
“I would say we’ve been in a lot of these positions this year - a lot of times,” Williams said. “Just taking those experiences and the opportunities we had early on.
Obviously, it didn’t work out in our favor earlier, but we didn’t really treat those as losses. We kind of just learned from them, and it’s paying off now.”
Williams also emphasized the team’s unity, especially in those late-game moments when fatigue sets in.
“Coming together in the fourth quarter - everybody’s fatigued, everybody’s tired. But it’s on us as point guards and as a team collectively to make sure we’re all together, especially late in the game.”
Flagg’s Poise Turning Heads
Williams didn’t shy away from praising Cooper Flagg either, especially with the rookie set to celebrate his 19th birthday on Sunday.
“For him to still be learning the game and learning how the NBA game works, and just the NBA scheduling as a whole, it’s very impressive,” he said. “How he carries himself every day speaks a lot to the vets we have now.”
Flagg’s combination of poise, skill, and confidence has made him the focal point of Dallas’ offense down the stretch - a role that not many rookies are ready to handle. But Flagg? He’s embracing it.
Tipoff Set for 6 p.m. CST
Saturday’s matchup at Xfinity Mobile Arena is more than just a December game. It’s a clash between two teams trending in the right direction for very different reasons.
The Mavericks are clawing their way back from an injury-riddled start, finding chemistry and late-game toughness along the way. The Sixers, without their superstar, are discovering depth and resilience in real time.
Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CST. Expect fireworks - and maybe a few more “welcome to the league” moments from Cooper Flagg before he officially turns 19.