The Philadelphia 76ers witnessed an unforgettable performance on Wednesday night as rookie VJ Edgecombe made his highly anticipated debut. In an exhilarating game against the Boston Celtics, Edgecombe scored a remarkable 34 points, marking the highest point total in an NBA debut in over 65 years. This outstanding achievement places him among the elite in NBA history, as his 34 points are the third-most ever recorded during a debut, trailing only the legendary Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 43 points on October 24, 1959, for the Philadelphia Warriors.
Not only did Edgecombe impress with his scoring, but he also set a new franchise record for the Philadelphia 76ers by surpassing the legendary Allen Iverson, who had previously scored 30 points in his debut on November 1, 1996. In addition, the 20-year-old rookie shattered another record by scoring 14 points in the first quarter of his debut, outpacing NBA superstar LeBron James, who had 12 points in his first game with the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 29, 2003.
Following the game, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse praised Edgecombe's performance, stating, “Well, he’s pretty good. I think there was some space there for him to shoot. I think there were some guys that were penetrating into some gaps, and he was kind of spaced out there a lot. … He took some drives; it was certainly a great start.” Despite recognizing areas for improvement, Nurse described the debut as “an amazing first game performance.”
Edgecombe finished the night with impressive shooting stats, going 13-for-26 from the field and 5-for-13 from beyond the arc. He also contributed significantly by grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out three assists. The rookie’s performance was instrumental in the 76ers' narrow victory over the Celtics, with a final score of 117-116.
After the game, Edgecombe was celebrated by his teammates, who doused him with water as he spoke with the 76ers broadcast team. Teammate Tyrese Maxey humorously exclaimed, “That’s a debut, 77,” highlighting the significance of Edgecombe's entry into the NBA. Together, Edgecombe and Maxey accounted for 74 of the team’s total points, with Maxey finishing the game as the highest scorer with 40 points.
VJ Edgecombe’s journey to the NBA is rooted in his local ties to the New York area. He spent his junior and senior years playing high school basketball at Long Island Lutheran, where he led the team to a New York State championship in his junior year. His impressive skills on the court earned him a selection as a McDonald’s All-American in his senior year, further showcasing his talent and potential.
As the 76ers look forward to the rest of the season, VJ Edgecombe's debut has set a promising tone for his future in the NBA. Fans are eager to see how this young talent will continue to develop and contribute to the team's success.
