Cooper Flagg on his showdown with VJ Edgecombe:

“I think we both played a solid game. He played a really good game. He was aggressive. Got to his spots & rose up. I knew that’s what he was capable of. He’s a great player. Been playing against him for a couple years live now,…

— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) December 21, 2025

PHILADELPHIA — The matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night featured a matchup between the 2025 draft’s No. 1 pick in Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg and the No. 3 pick in Sixes guard VJ Edgecombe.

The two delivered a terrific showing as Edgecombe had 26 points, six rebounds, and four assists while Flagg delivered 24 points and four rebounds as Philadelphia earned a 121-114 win on the second night of a back-to-back. It was a strong showing for two of the draft’s top classmates.

After the Sixers knocked off the Mavs, the two rookies exchanged jerseys as a sign of respect for what both can do.

“It was great,” Edgecombe said of the battle with Flagg. “We’ve been going against each other since high school. College even, we ran into each other. Now in the league. I’m happy for him. He finally found a rhythm. Obviously, he had a shaky start kind of, but to see him play through it and continue to grow, that’s amazing, man. Credit to Coop.”

Edgecombe and Flagg matched up in the NCAA Tournament back in March when Flagg’s Duke team eliminated Edgecombe’s Baylor squad in the Round of 32. Edgecombe was able to get a bit of revenge against Flagg at the NBA level leading the Sixers to another win. Flagg gave a lot of love to Edgecombe after the contest.

Edgecombe was part of a closing lineup on Saturday that played the final 13 minutes of the contest. He, Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, Jabari Walker, and Adem Bona were able to get the job done and put the Mavs away.

“We all just locked in,” Edgecombe said. “Regardless of fatigue or not. We all just locked in. Credit to Mac coming onto the court and ‘Bari and Bona coming onto the court and making big plays. Mac was plus-29. That’s a big difference right there, man. Credit to them, man. Bona played well, and then Tyrese, obviously, is Tyrese.”

The Sixers will have two days off before taking on the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.