Rookie Sensation: VJ Edgecombe’s 34-Point Debut Powers Sixers Past Celtics. Watch Now
In a thrilling season opener, Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe made a lasting impression on the NBA, scoring 34 points in his debut to help his team rally past the Boston Celtics 117-116 on Wednesday night. Edgecombe’s impressive performance was the most points scored in a debut since Wilt Chamberlain’s 43 points on October 24, 1959, and the third most in NBA debut history.
The 76ers’ young gun managed to shine bright alongside teammate Tyrese Maxey, who scored a game-high 40 points. The duo’s combined 74 points were tied for the second most by a pair in a season opener in NBA history, narrowly trailing James Harden and Christian Wood’s 75 points for the Rockets in 2020. Maxey’s effort was a testament to his growing prowess on the court, and Edgecombe’s debut will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion for years to come.
Edgecombe’s 34 points not only set a new franchise record for most points in a debut, surpassing Allen Iverson’s mark of 30, but also showcased his potential as a key player for the 76ers. Despite missing a pair of crucial foul shots with 9.1 seconds remaining, Edgecombe’s overall performance was a significant factor in Philadelphia’s narrow victory.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with the Celtics’ Derrick White scoring 13 of his 25 points in the third quarter to spark a 16-0 run that gave Boston an 11-point lead. However, the 76ers responded with an 8-0 run of their own to close the gap and eventually take the lead.
Joel Embiid, the 2023 NBA MVP, made his return to the court after missing significant time due to injury last season. Although he had a quiet night, scoring just four points on 1-of-9 shooting, Embiid grabbed six rebounds in 20 minutes of play. His presence was felt, and the team will undoubtedly look to him for more production as the season progresses.
For the Celtics, Jaylen Brown returned from a hamstring injury and scored 25 points. The 2024 NBA Finals MVP is expected to carry a heavier load this season, especially with Jayson Tatum recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon and out for the game.
In the end, the 76ers’ bench outscored the Celtics’ reserves 43-22, making a significant difference in the outcome of the game. Payton Pritchard had two opportunities to seal the win but missed both shots. Despite this, the 76ers held on for the 117-116 victory, marking a promising start to the season.
As the dust settles on this thrilling matchup, Edgecombe’s impressive debut will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the highlights of the young season. Can this momentum carry over for the 76ers, or will the Celtics bounce back and prove themselves as one of the top teams in the league? Only time will tell.
Final Score: Philadelphia 76ers 117, Boston Celtics 116
Top Performers:
- Tyrese Maxey (76ers): 40 points
- VJ Edgecombe (76ers): 34 points
- Jaylen Brown (Celtics): 25 points
- Derrick White (Celtics): 25 points
The 76ers and Celtics will look to build on this exciting matchup as the season progresses. Will Edgecombe continue to shine, or will the Celtics regroup and assert their dominance? The NBA season is always full of surprises, and this rivalry is one to watch.
Some related News
NBA Betting
- “NBA Odds: Lakers Favored to Win West, Celtics Top Contenders” – Latest NBA betting odds and predictions for the upcoming season.
- “Sportsbooks See Surge in NBA Bets as Season Tips Off” – NBA betting sees a surge in wagers as the new season begins.
LeBron James
- “LeBron James Makes History: King James Becomes Oldest Player to Record Triple-Double” – LeBron James continues to make history in the NBA.
- “Lakers’ LeBron James Out with Injury, Expected to Miss Several Weeks” – LeBron James suffers an injury and is expected to miss several weeks of action.
Sorare NBA
- “Sorare NBA Partners with NBA to Offer Official Digital Collectibles” – Sorare NBA announces a partnership with the NBA to offer official digital collectibles.
- “Sorare NBA Sees Surge in User Growth, Revenue” – Sorare NBA sees significant growth in users and revenue as the platform continues to gain popularity.
NBA YouTube
- “NBA YouTube Channel Reaches 10 Million Subscribers” – The NBA’s official YouTube channel reaches a milestone 10 million subscribers.
- “Top 10 NBA Plays of the Week on YouTube” – Check out the top 10 NBA plays of the week as seen on YouTube.
Timberwolves News
- “Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards Signs Massive Extension” – Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards signs a massive contract extension.
- “Timberwolves Make Bold Move to Acquire Top Talent” – The Timberwolves make a bold move to acquire top talent in the NBA.
Houston Rockets News
- “Rockets’ Alperen Şengün Emerges as MVP Candidate” – Rockets’ Alperen Şengün is having an MVP-caliber season and is emerging as a top contender.
- “Rockets Make Coaching Change, Hire New Assistant Coach” – The Rockets make a coaching change, hiring a new assistant coach to join their staff.
AJ Griffin
- “AJ Griffin’s Defensive Prowess Shines in Celtics’ Win” – AJ Griffin’s defense is a key factor in the Celtics’ win.
- “Celtics’ AJ Griffin Expected to Miss Several Games with Injury” – AJ Griffin suffers an injury and is expected to miss several games.
Justise Winslow
- “Justise Winslow’s Versatility a Key Factor in Raptors’ Success” – Justise Winslow’s versatility is a key factor in the Raptors’ success.
- “Raptors’ Justise Winslow Out with Injury, Expected to Miss Several Weeks” – Justise Winslow suffers an injury and is expected to miss several weeks of action.
Muggsy Bogues
- “Muggsy Bogues to be Inducted into Hall of Fame” – Muggsy Bogues is set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame for his contributions to the game.
- “Muggsy Bogues on Modern NBA: ‘It’s a Different Game'” – Muggsy Bogues shares his thoughts on the modern NBA game and how it compares to his playing days.
