76ers’ VJ Edgecombe reveals influence behind 30-point masterclass vs. Celtics

The story of VJ Edgecombe’s rookie season has been that he’s so mature and his game is so well-rounded beyond his years. It’s difficult to forget sometimes that the Philadelphia 76ers guard is only 20 years of age.

That’s even more difficult to recall now, especially after he put up a 30-point, 10-rebound masterclass to lead the team in scoring in the 76ers’ 111-97 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of their 2026 NBA playoffs first-round matchup, evening up the series with an all-important win on the road.

Edgecombe was brilliant all night, and even though he did give way to a Tyrese Maxey takeover to seal the victory in the fourth quarter, the 76ers needed every bit of his contributions to snatch Game 2. After a bit of a rough Game 1 (13 points, 6-16 shooting from the field) in their 123-91 defeat, Edgecombe got the motivation he needed from his backcourt mate.

“This guy right here (Maxey) told me keep shooting. And he kept making the pass. The pass was coming with some love on it so I got to make the shot, you know what I’m saying?” Edgecombe said in his and Maxey’s joint postgame interview. “Credit to my teammates. Just keeping me up, everybody telling me I got to keep playing hard.”

"This is who we are."

Tyrese Maxey (29 PTS) & VJ Edgecombe (30 PTS) sound off after winning Game 2 on the road to tie the series at 1-1!

Game 3: Friday, 7pm/et on Prime pic.twitter.com/vCTYeM1b3R

— NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2026

Young players need belief to come into their own, and the 76ers definitely have all the belief in the world in Edgecombe’s ability to be a star. It’s understandable for rookies to struggle a bit under the bright lights of the playoffs, but Edgecombe has the poise of a veteran, responding so calmly and with one of his best games of the season to power the 76ers to a much-needed victory.

This win also helps the 76ers buy some time for Joel Embiid, who’s still recovering from appendectomy, so today was truly a good day for Philly.

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