In a thrilling NBA clash in Dallas, Quentin Grimes shone brightly, posting 28 points in his debut game against his former squad, propelling the Philadelphia 76ers to a 130-125 triumph over the Dallas Mavericks. Both teams faced the challenge of contending with significant injuries on Sunday.
Adding to the Sixers’ victory, Jalen Hood-Schifino contributed 19 points, marking a rare win for Philadelphia, their third in the last 18 outings. Meanwhile, P.J. Washington Jr. made a mark for Dallas by scoring 29 points and securing 12 rebounds, returning to action after sitting out for eight games due to a sprained right ankle. Also notable were Klay Thompson and Naji Marshall, each scoring 21 points.
This defeat further entrenched the Mavericks’ struggles, dropping them to a season-low record with three more losses than wins. Despite this, they maintain a slender lead over Phoenix for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference, as the Suns suffered a defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers, 107-96.
A staggering 19 players from both squads were listed on the injury report, headlined by star names such as Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis for Dallas, alongside Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey for Philadelphia.
Notably, Quentin Grimes became part of the Philadelphia roster following a trade that saw him leave Dallas. This exchange occurred shortly after Dallas fans were disappointed by the team’s decision to trade their star, Luka Doncic, to the Lakers for Davis in early February.
**Takeaways:**
For the 76ers, sidelined center Andre Drummond showed respect for former Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, wearing a T-shirt portraying Nowitzki’s famed one-legged fadeaway shot, immortalized in a statue outside the arena.
The Mavericks visibly missed their marquee talents with Irving (recovering from a season-ending ACL tear) and Davis (nursing a strained groin) absent from the court and clad in casual attire. Embiid, George, and Maxey were also unavailable for the Sixers at the outset of their six-game road stretch, tying their longest of the season.
**Key Moment:**
In a decisive turn during the final moments, Grimes sank two crucial free throws to secure a 126-123 lead with just 25 seconds remaining, solidified by a review-confirmed foul on Marshall.
**Key Stat:**
Philadelphia excelled at the free-throw line, converting 20 out of 24 attempts, including a flawless six in the closing 25 seconds.
**Up Next:**
The 76ers continue their road journey, facing Houston on Monday, while the Mavericks are set to visit Indiana on Wednesday.
