The Philadelphia 76ers didnât have Joel Embiid in crunch time or Paul George in uniformâbut they had VJ Edgecombe.
In his first NBA game, the 20-year-old rookie guard exploded for 34 points, seven rebounds, and three assists on 50 percent shooting, leading the Sixers to a stunning 117â116 comeback win over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. It wasnât just a big debut. It was historic.
A Night for the Record Books
Edgecombeâs 34-point outing is now the most by any rookie in an NBA debut this century, surpassing Allen Iversonâs previous Sixers record of 30 points and trailing only Wilt Chamberlainâs 43-point debut in franchise history.
He also broke LeBron Jamesâ record for most points in the first quarter of a debut (14), setting the tone early against one of the leagueâs top defenses.
Philadelphia trailed by 13 entering the fourth quarter, but Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey fueled a furious rallyâoutscoring Boston 36â22 in the final frame. Maxey finished with 40 points, six assists, and seven made threes, while Embiid logged just 20 minutes as the Sixers eased him into the season.
Draft Gold for Daryl MoreyâAgain
For president Daryl Morey, Edgecombeâs breakout debut cements a second straight home run in the draft. Last yearâs pick, Jared McCain, averaged 15.3 points on 46/38/88 shooting splits before his promising rookie season ended in December due to a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee.
McCainâs efficiency, confidence, and poise made him one of the leagueâs most polished rookie guards before his injury.
Edgecombe, now following in those footsteps, showcased the same blend of fearlessness and maturityâonly with more athleticism and defensive upside.
Edgecombe entered the league as one of the most explosive guards in the 2025 draft class out of Baylor, where he averaged 18.1 points per game and shot 34.5 percent from three. His jumper was viewed as a swing skill, but his progress since then has turned heads.
After the game, The Athleticâs NBA Draft analyst Sam Vecenie wrote on X:
âVJ Edgecombe just leveling up as a volume 3-point shooter over the summer is a massive development for his future if it sticks. Would totally change his trajectory as an upside swing.â
Through one game, that statement already feels prophetic. Edgecombe drilled 5-of-10 from deep against Boston, including multiple off-the-dribble jumpers that showed a confidence well beyond his years.
A Glimpse at Philadelphiaâs Future
Paul Georgeâs absence loomed before tip-offâhe remains sidelined as he recovers from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, which he underwent in July after an offseason injury.
The Sixers have been cautious with his return, ensuring he meets all rehab benchmarks before rejoining the lineup.
That left the door open for Edgecombe to make his mark. And he seized it.
His composure, shot creation, and two-way energy electrified a team that many expected to struggle early without George. Instead, the Sixers left TD Garden with momentumâand perhaps the emergence of their next cornerstone beside Maxey and Embiid.
Philadelphiaâs rebuild-within-a-contending-window suddenly looks much more sustainable.
Between McCainâs polished scoring and Edgecombeâs explosive debut, Daryl Morey might have done what few thought possible: hit on back-to-back draft picks that reshape the Sixersâ future.
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