It will not be straightforward for rookie VJ Edgecombe to prime the dazzling begin to his NBA profession, however the Philadelphia 76ers guard could have an opportunity on Saturday in opposition to the visiting Charlotte Hornets.
Edgecombe scored 34 factors in a season-opening 117-116 win over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, breaking Allen Iverson’s franchise-record for factors in a debut (30). Edgecombe’s outburst ranks solely behind Wilt Chamberlain’s document 43 factors in 1959 and Frank Selvy’s 35 in 1954.
Even after a record-setting evening, the 20-year-old is retaining issues easy forward of Saturday’s house opener.
“It is simply basketball. I attempt to not overthink it,” Edgecombe mentioned. “I have been placing within the reps, placing within the work. My teammates belief me, I belief my teammates. … However the debut of lastly taking part in within the NBA, yeah, that was loopy.”
Because the 76ers attempt to wash away the stench of a 58-loss season, the backcourt of Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey — who had 40 factors in opposition to Boston — is a tandem the workforce will proceed to rely upon as Joel Embiid works again right into a rhythm following an injury-plagued 2024-25 marketing campaign.
“I really feel like we each play effectively within the open court docket,” Edgecombe mentioned of taking part in with Maxey. “Taking part in quick is one thing that we need to do. When Joel’s totally again, it is going to be even higher when you ask me, as a result of he requires a lot consideration. … It is simply nice to be surrounded by superstars. Folks that may assist me proceed to develop as a participant on and off the ground.”
After taking part in in simply 19 video games a season in the past, Embiid struggled in his return, scoring simply 4 factors on 1-for-9 capturing from the sector.
Charlotte, which is seeking to snap a 10-game dropping streak in opposition to the 76ers courting again to December 2022, opened its 12 months with a 136-117 win over the visiting Brooklyn Nets.
Final season, the Hornets struggled mightily to string collectively constant offense. Charlotte was tied with the Nets for final within the NBA with 105.1 factors per recreation. The workforce’s scoring output in recreation No. 1 would’ve been the third most for the Hornets final 12 months.
“Pretty much as good as I believed we had been, we are able to get higher,” Charlotte head coach Charles Lee mentioned. “Offensively, I beloved the tempo we had been capable of maintain. … We have to proceed to be sturdy with the ball and worth each possession from the start of the sport to the tip of the sport.”
Lee has already proven religion in rookies Kon Knueppel and Ryan Kalkbrenner, deciding to incorporate each draft picks into the beginning lineup. Knueppel, the previous Duke standout, had 11 factors on three 3-pointers, whereas Kalkbrenner posted a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double in his Charlotte debut.
“They earned the chance to be on the market,” Lee mentioned. “It was cool to see them influence the sport in so some ways. From Ryan blocking photographs to Kon spacing the ground, they’ve each labored laborious because the day they arrived.”
Charlotte had 9 gamers scoring in double digits. Brandon Miller paced the Hornets with 25 factors and added seven assists. LaMelo Ball contributed 20 factors and a team-best eight assists.
–Discipline Stage Media
