The Philadelphia 76ers keep looking like they have something on their hands with rookie VJ Edgecombe.
The third overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft continued a clutch run to open his career with a game-winning 3-pointer in overtime against the Memphis Grizzlies, snapping a six-game losing streak for Philadelphia. The 20-year-old had five points at halftime and finished with 25.
Edgecombe already entered the game shooting 61.9% from the field and 55.6% from deep in clutch situations, with the Sixers outscoring teams by 43 points in 75 minutes with him on the floor. This wasn’t the first time he saved them from a crushing loss.
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The effort was buttressed by 34-point nights from both Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Embiid also had 10 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 blocks, while Maxey had 12 assists and 2 steals. Those two and Edgecombe combined to either make or assist on 40 of Philadelphia’s 51 baskets in the game.
The game had previously been shaping up to be Ja Morant’s night. The All-Star point guard finished the night with 40 points on 16-of-22 shooting and almost singlehandedly dragged Memphis to overtime.
Edgecombe wasn’t the only rookie to come up big either, as Cedric Coward, the draft’s 11th overall pick, continued a strong rookie year with 28 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists. You can probably bet on seeing him and Edgecombe in the NBA for a long time.
