VJ Edgecombe Shows He’s Built for the Moment in Statement Win Over Knicks
When the Sixers used the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft on VJ Edgecombe, they knew they were getting a high-motor, two-way player with upside. What they might not have anticipated-at least not this quickly-was just how comfortable he’d be when the lights are brightest. On Friday night at Madison Square Garden, Edgecombe didn’t just show up-he took over.
In a 116-107 win over the Knicks, the rookie guard delivered one of his most complete performances of the season, doing a little bit of everything-and doing it when it mattered most. He scored in a variety of ways, made hustle plays that don’t show up in the box score, and delivered in crunch time like a seasoned vet. It was the kind of game that doesn't just pad a rookie résumé-it builds a reputation.
This wasn’t a one-off. Edgecombe’s been trending this way all season, especially in close games.
He’s played in 18 contests where the score was within five points in the final five minutes. In those high-pressure spots, he’s shooting a scorching 65% from the field and 62.5% from three.
That’s not just efficiency-it’s poise under pressure. The Sixers are 11-7 in those games, and Edgecombe’s fingerprints are all over those wins.
Friday night was another chapter in that story.
With Tyrese Maxey torching New York’s defense for 30 points, Knicks head coach Mike Brown made the adjustment-anyone but Maxey was going to beat them. Enter Edgecombe.
With the defense collapsing on Maxey late in the fourth, Edgecombe capitalized, scoring five straight points to push the lead to six with just under three minutes to go. It was a momentum swing, and he was just getting started.
Moments later, Josh Hart forced Maxey into a tough, contested runner. No problem.
Edgecombe came flying in, outjumping four Knicks for the offensive board and hammering home a vicious put-back dunk that sent the MSG crowd into stunned silence. That play-pure hustle, elite athleticism, and perfect timing-was Edgecombe in a nutshell.
And he wasn’t done. With just under a minute and a half left, he dove on a loose ball, helping the Sixers seal the win. It was the kind of gritty, winning play that coaches love and teammates feed off.
Edgecombe finished with 23 points on 55.6% shooting, along with four assists and two steals. It was his third straight game with at least 20 points, and his confidence is clearly growing with every outing. For a rookie, that kind of consistency-especially in big moments-is rare.
The Sixers improved to 15-11 with the win, and while Maxey’s scoring continues to set the tone, it’s Edgecombe’s emergence as a late-game difference-maker that’s quietly becoming one of the most important storylines of Philly’s season.
Winning at the Garden always feels good. Doing it behind your rookie’s clutch performance?
That’s something special. Edgecombe isn’t just fitting in-he’s helping lead the way.