The Philadelphia 76ers started the new NBA season with a win against the Boston Celtics. A debutant achieved a historic performance.
Dream debut in the NBA! The 19-year-old VJ Edgecombe made history in his first appearance for the Philadelphia 76ers and silenced the spectators in the TD Garden.
In the dramatic 117-116 victory over the Boston Celtics, the shooting guard exploded and scored 34 points – the third highest output by a rookie in an NBA debut. Wilt Chamberlain had scored a whopping 43 points on October 24, 1959, and Frank Selvy had scored 35 points in 1959.
The rookie made 13 of his 26 shots, sank five three-pointers, went to the line six times, and distributed three assists. Only two players in the entire league history scored more points in their debut. Together with point guard Tyrese Maxey, who was the top scorer of the night with 40 points, he collected 74 points – the second highest duo result in a season opener.
Only James Harden and Christian Wood reached 75 points in 2020. “He plays without fear,” marveled teammate Tyrese Maxey, “that inspires all of us.”
“Man, that was crazy! I honestly didn’t expect that,” Edgecombe could hardly put his performance into words. Even opponent Derrick White praised the celebrated debutant in the highest terms: “To come in here as a rookie in his first game and put up such numbers is just incredible,” he said, adding: “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that in a debut.”
Nevertheless, it became dramatic again at the end. With 22 seconds still on the clock, the Sixers were leading by four points, then Edgecombe missed two free throws, giving Boston one last chance. Payton Pritchard had two shots for the possible game-winner, but both bounced off the rim. Only then could Philadelphia breathe a sigh of relief – and the rookie fell into Joel Embiid’s arms cheering.
Embiid’s return created additional tension. The 2023 MVP, after months with a foot injury, sinus fracture, and arthroscopy on his left knee, played exactly twenty minutes on the court but made only one of his nine attempts and ended the night with four points and six rebounds. “The rhythm will come,” explained head coach Nick Nurse. “The crucial thing is that Joel remained pain-free – that was the first step.”
For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum was still absent due to his Achilles tendon rupture. Jaylen Brown took responsibility and scored 25 points, as did White, who alone scored 13 points in the third quarter. During this phase, Boston went on a 16-0 run and turned a five-point deficit into an eleven-point lead. But Philadelphia fought back, went on an 8-0 run just before the buzzer, and thanks to Edgecombe’s historic debut, secured the perfect start to the new season.