VJ Edgecombe Delivers Clutch Performance as Philadelphia 76ers Defeat Knicks
The second-year guard hit a crucial late three-pointer and played lockdown defense to help secure a 98-93 victory in NBA Cup group play.
The Philadelphia 76ers secured a hard-fought 98-93 victory against the New York Knicks on Friday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena, opening NBA Cup group play with a win thanks in part to clutch play down the stretch from second-year guard VJ Edgecombe. With the victory, the Sixers improved their record to 5-1 on the young season.
Trailing by one point with just over 90 seconds remaining after a corner three-pointer from Finals MVP Jalen Brunson, the Sixers needed a response. Edgecombe answered by playing solid defense on Brunson during the Knicks' subsequent possession, forcing a missed shot off the glass. Moments later, after Philadelphia had reclaimed the advantage, Edgecombe drained a deep three-pointer with 33.6 seconds left on the game clock to stretch the lead to four points, before securing the final rebound to seal the win.
Despite shooting 0-for-3 from long distance earlier in the evening, Edgecombe displayed no hesitation when the pivotal opportunity arose. "That’s just the confidence I have in myself," Edgecombe said postgame. "I still have to shoot the ball, regardless. I mean, if it’s the right shot, I’m going to make sure I shoot the ball. Because after that, if I turn it down, there might not be a better shot after that."
Edgecombe finished the contest with 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds. His performance earned praise from teammates and coaching staff alike. Head coach Nick Nurse noted that stepping up in big moments is a defining characteristic of the young guard, stating, "He just does that, it’s really who he is. We all know it."
Playing alongside a star-studded roster that includes LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown, Edgecombe's role has necessarily evolved. Rather than operating as a primary ballhandler, the 21-year-old has focused on cutting, transition play, and rebounding, while routinely being assigned to guard the opposing team's top perimeter threats.
James commended the sophomore's composure and fearlessness on the floor. "He doesn’t shy away from the moment," James said. "Young kid, but he thrives in the moment, so it’s great to just have those guys, those complementary guys out there on the floor where we can all complement one another."
The decisive play developed out of a designed screen for Maxey. When New York's Mikal Bridges left Edgecombe near the top of the key to double-team Maxey, Maxey made the pass to an open Edgecombe, who capitalized on the opportunity. Maxey emphasized the team's shared trust, explaining that if opponents choose to trap him, he will always look to find the open man, whether that is James, Embiid, or Edgecombe.
As the season progresses, the Sixers expect Edgecombe to remain a vital piece of the rotation. Through his defense, rebounding, and willingness to embrace high-pressure situations, he continues to prove his value to a team with championship aspirations.