The Sixers are confident VJ Edgecombe will take advantage of his latest bounce-back opportunity
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VJ Edgecombe played 35 total games in his one season at Baylor. So after the 76ers selected him third in the 2025 NBA draft, he was told to have a short-term memory during the NBA’s daunting 82-game slate.
And early in the season, he was credited with being mentally tough and having a strong motor. Both were tested this season as the rookie was thrust into a larger role than expected, stepping in as the second option to Tyrese Maxey for wide swaths of the season as Joel Embiid and Paul George missed significant time for injury and suspension, respectively.
In fact, shortly after Edgecombe’s historic 34-point debut against these Boston Celtics in October, he entered a November shooting slump that led to early questions about his adjustment to the NBA grind.
“It’s not weighing on me,” Edgecombe said at the time. “Why I say it’s not is because it’s an 82-game season. Nobody’s going to remember these games early. I mean, I’m a rookie, man. I’ve got to give myself some grace.”
» READ MORE: Tyrese Maxey and the Sixers can hold their heads high after Game 3 loss, but the series is what it is
That approach will be especially critical for Edgecombe in the Sixers’ first-round series against the Celtics, one where his play has been brilliant at times and inconsistent at others. The Sixers have gone as he has, trailing two games to one heading into Sunday’s Game 4 at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Edgecombe struggled in his NBA playoff debut in Boston, scoring 13 points on 6-for-16 shooting — including 0-for-5 from three-point distance — in a 123-91 Game 1 loss. He followed that up with a record-breaking performance rife with viral moments. Edgecombe became the youngest player in NBA history to produce 30 points and 10 rebounds in the postseason as the Sixers pulled off an improbable 111-97 Game 2 victory.
Yet after another off night in Game 3’s 108-100 loss, Edgecombe finds himself in the same position he entered Game 2. The Sixers are confident that he will rebound just like he has all season after scoring 10 points on 5-for-17 shooting and missing all seven of his three-point attempts.
Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey looks down with seconds left on the clock during the fourth quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers guard Tyrese Maxey talks to teammate Adem Bona after Bona gets called for an unnecessary foul during the fourth quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerCeltics forward Jayson Tatum and Sixers forward Paul George collide during the fourth quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers guard Tyrese Maxey reacts after gaining a 85-84 lead over the Celtics during the fourth quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers forward Justin Edwards reaches for the ball against Celtics forward Jayson Tatum during the third quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers center Andre Drummond hits a three point basket during the third quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers center Adem Bona hypes up the fans after dunking the basketball during the third quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers guard VJ Edgecombe tries to prevent Celtics forward Jayson Tatum from getting to the net during the third quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers center Joel Embiid (center) on the bench during the third quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerFans react as Sixers take a 67-64 lead during the third quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers guard VJ Edgecombe gets the ball from Celtics center Neemias Queta during the second quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers forward Paul George celebrates hitting a three point basket during the second quarter Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers center Adem Bona fouls Celtics guard Jaylen Brown during the third quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers forward Justin Edwards (left), center Adem Bona and VJ Edgecombe reach for a loose ball against Celtics guard Jaylen Brown during the third quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers guard Quentin Grimes is fouled by Celtics center Luka Garza during the second quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerThe Sixers bench celebrates a Celtics turnover ending in a Sixers ball during the second quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers center Joel Embiid with teammates at halftime during Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Celtics Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers guard Tyrese Maxey looks to shoot between Celtics center Nikola Vucevic, (left) and guard Derrick White during the second quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers center Adem Bona falls on his wrist during the second quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers center Adem Bona looks for room to shoot during the second quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers guard VJ Edgecombe dunks the basketball during the second quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers center Andre Drummond and Celtics guard Jaylen Brown battle for position as Sixers teammate on the free-throw line during the first quarter Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers center Adem Bona reacts after blocking a shot by Celtics forward Jayson Tatum during the first quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. reacts to a foul called on Celtics guard Jaylen Brown during the first quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers guard Tyrese Maxey hits a three point shot and points to Joel Embiid on the bench during the first quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerSixers guard VJ Edgecombe calls for a replay during the first quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff PhotographerEagles 2026 first round draft pick and 20th overall, Makai Lemon rings the bell before the Sixers play Game 3 against the Celtics Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Kelly Oubre Jr., is one of several players who have served as a mentor for Edgecombe on this veteran-laden Sixers roster. In this case, he told Edgecombe to throw out the short-term memory adage and remember how he played in Boston as he passed Magic Johnson and Tim Duncan on an exclusive list of first-year players.
“I just told him remember what he did when he was in Boston,” Oubre said. “It’s a game of ebbs and flows, and don’t hang your hat on it. We know what you’re capable of, and we all have 100% faith and confidence in you.
“He was just asking me or telling me about certain plays, and I was like, ‘Bro, you weren’t saying this in Boston. You were just flowing, you were going and being yourself.’ So just be you.”
» READ MORE: Without Joel Embiid, Sixers centers Adem Bona and Andre Drummond ride highs and lows of Game 3 loss to Celtics
Edgecombe echoed a similar sentiment himself in March as the Sixers were in the midst of a playoff push. He was fresh off a five-game stretch with multiple 30-point performances, including a March 19 performance with 38 points, seven rebounds, and 11 assists.
“I haven’t had time to sit down and sulk and cope on anything,” Edgecombe said.
He certainly doesn’t have time now with the Sixers’ season on the line. Coach Nick Nurse expects Edgecombe to collect himself and bring the right mindset to his latest bounce-back opportunity.
“I think he gets determined, for one,” Nurse said. “And I do, again, think he has a good, level composure. I just don’t think he gets too down or too high or whatever. I just think he’s a competitive kid. Plays with determination. Usually takes him a long way in the bounce-back games.”
