VJ Edgecombe improved to 2-0 in his head-to-head matchup with fellow rookie Cooper Flagg, helping the Philadelphia Sixers add misery to the slumping Dallas Mavericks.
Rookie VJ Edgecombe once again got the better of 2025 top pick Cooper Flagg, helping power the Philadelphia 76ers to a 123-108 disposal of the Mavericks and hand Dallas its fourth consecutive loss on Friday, January 2 (PH time).
Two weeks after their first duel ended in Edgecombe’s favor, the 20-year-old guard showcased his two-way brilliance once more, finishing with 23 points, five rebounds, and four steals.
Tyrese Maxey erupted for a game-high 34 points, while former MVP Joel Embiid contributed 22, as Philadelphia flexed its offensive firepower to earn back-to-back wins.
Quentin Grimes added 11 of his 18 points in the final frame, helping the Sixers improve to 18-14 while extending their dominance over Dallas, whom they’ve now beaten five straight times.
Flagg, on the other hand, struggled from the field and scored just 12 points on 5-for-12 shooting while adding seven rebounds and seven assists.
Max Christie led Dallas with 18 points, but the Mavericks could not flip the script to enter 2026 and slipped to 12-23.
Philadelphia now travels to New York to take on Jalen Brunson and the Knicks (23-10), while Dallas looks to end its skid at home against Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets (21-10).
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.