It may have been a small victory, but at this point, the 76ers will take any win they can get. Joel Embiid returned from a 15-game absence due to foot and knee issues and had a triple-double (29 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) in a 118-116 win over the Mavericks.
Embiid scored a go-ahead layup with 22 seconds left and “looked comfortable, confident and light on his feet,” James Herbert writes.
Tyrese Maxey had 33 points for Philadelphia, which, at 20-29 this season, is 11th in the East and one spot out of the play-in tournament. Paul George (finger) missed his fifth straight game.
Dallas was without recently acquired Anthony Davis, but Max Christie scored 15 points off the bench in his team debut, an encouraging sign.
This wasn’t the teams’ only interaction Tuesday: The Mavericks sent Quentin Grimes and Philadelphia’s own 2025 second-round pick to the 76ers for Caleb Martin as Dallas’ roster overhaul continued. Sam Quinn graded the trade and gave Philadelphia solid marks.
Quinn: “This swap gets Philadelphia back under the first apron. Now, they are within range of ducking the luxury tax altogether with another move, so shedding that extra salary this season does hold some value for them. But getting younger also means a great deal as well. … The 76ers did well to snag a pretty good second-round pick out of a deal that made plenty of sense for them without one.”
😁 Honorable mentions
The Lakers introduced Luka Doncic (who could return Saturday), and Rob Pelinka addressed what’s next for Los Angeles at center after Davis’ departure.
Speaking of Davis, here’s how he fits with Dallas.
Alex Ovechkin inches closer to Wayne Gretzky.
Donovan Mitchell had a huge dunk over Kristaps Porzingis, but the Celtics beat the Cavaliers, 112-105, behind a monster fourth quarter from Derrick White.
D’Angelo Russell for the win!!!
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J.J. McCarthy wants a “fair opportunity” to be the Vikings’ starter, no matter what happens with Sam Darnold.
Mason Crosby called it a career.
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Xavier Worthy has high hopes for Arch Manning.
Jim Knowles is locked in on helping Penn State get over the hump and win a national championship.
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Louisville elevated Deion Branch to wide receivers coach.
Here are the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game rosters.
It’ll be a Big Ten showdown — UCLA (21-0) vs. Ohio State (20-1) — in Los Angeles tonight.