Edgecombe's Historic 34-Point Debut Lifts 76ers

Rookie VJ Edgecombe scored 34 points, seven rebounds and three assists as the Philadelphia 76ers rallied for a 117-116 win at Boston. He poured in 14 first-quarter points — the most ever in the first quarter of an NBA debut, surpassing LeBron James — and his 34 points are the third-highest debut total in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain and Frank Selvy, while eclipsing Allen Iverson's franchise rookie-debut mark. Edgecombe was efficient (13-of-26, 5-of-13 from three), defended well and kept turnovers low, though he missed two late free throws that nearly cost the Sixers. Tyrese Maxey scored 40 points and made a late defensive stop to preserve the victory. Coach Nick Nurse praised Edgecombe's poise, and the historic outing immediately raises expectations for the 20-year-old Baylor product as a key building block alongside Maxey and a frontrunner in the Rookie of the Year conversation.