The 76ers kicked off their game against the Boston Celtics with a blistering 10-2 run last night, but things quickly got bleak by halftime. This wasn’t a huge shocker given that Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were all resting, and the squad was already battling injuries to Dominick Barlow (back), Anfernee Simons (hamstring), Adem Bona (foot), and Tacko Fall (hip). But even with a lenient defense and a Celtics barrage, some guys really stepped up and showed out.
Edgecombe Went Off, Straight Up Dominated
VJ Edgecombe, man. This dude went off! He dropped 19 points on an efficient 6-of-11 shooting from the field, including 2-of-5 from downtown. Plus, he tacked on 4 assists, 3 boards, and a whopping 4 steals. He only had 3 turnovers too, which is super clean for that kind of action. Remember Thursday when he went 0-for-2 from three? He got that three-ball falling fast against the Celtics, and he was absolutely cooking Payton Pritchard all night. Seconds into the second quarter, Edgecombe blazed right past Pritchard on a drive. Just a few minutes later, he took Pritchard to the post for a beautiful fadeaway baseline jumper. This dude is looking so much more comfortable finishing through contact, strong at the rim, even going right through Luka Garza for an and-one. The “Vj-Maxx connection” with Tyrese Maxey was real early too, as Maxey fed him for a transition finish and a corner three. This is exactly what you want to see from a guy looking to carve out a bigger role.
Walker and the Rookies Stepped Up Big Time
Jabari Walker also put on a show, looking great in every facet of the game. He notched 14 points, hitting 6-of-11 from the field and 2-of-7 from three, plus grabbed 5 rebounds and dished out 2 assists with just 1 turnover. He battled hard on the offensive glass, snagging easy opportunities, and showcased his ability to create offense and make quick decisions, like that nice pass to Dean Wade during the opening run. He’s absolutely earning himself more minutes in this preseason, no doubt about it. And let’s talk rookies for a sec. Labaron Philon Jr. came in with 14 points, hitting 4-of-8 from deep, along with 7 assists, 2 rebounds, and a steal. His shot looks fantastic, but the big question everyone’s asking is whether he can hold his own defensively. He showed off that playmaking potential all night though, including a slick bounce pass to Walker in the third. Then there’s Dean Wade. He only had 5 points, but he hit 2-of-4 from the field and 1-of-3 from deep. Wade does all the little things, like setting solid screens, and it might be tough to imagine with this star-studded roster, but he’s gonna be a fan favorite by the end of the year.
This wasn’t just another preseason game, it was a chance for these guys to shine, and Edgecombe, Walker, and Philon Jr. totally took it. With key players resting and injuries mounting, these performances are huge for showing who’s ready to step up when the regular season hits. Keep an eye on these names as the preseason rolls on, they’re making a strong case for serious minutes!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Liberty Ballers.
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