The Philadelphia 76ers are navigating familiar territory with injuries impacting their season, and once again, it's their star players feeling the strain. Last season, the trio of Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George spent more time on the sidelines than on the court together, and this season seems to be echoing that unfortunate pattern. Maxey and Embiid are currently out with injuries, while George is in the midst of a 25-game suspension.
In their absence, others have had to rise to the occasion, including rookie VJ Edgecombe. He's stepping into a bigger role and embracing the challenge with a mature perspective.
“I just want to win, and I just want to do the things that allow my team to win,” Edgecombe shared via Tony Jones of The Athletic. “If that means my team needs me to take more shots, I’m ready for that. But, mainly, I just need to do the things that my team needs me to do.”
For the 76ers, this rollercoaster of a season comes at a critical juncture as they fight to stay in the postseason mix. Edgecombe is taking it all in stride, understanding the natural ups and downs of a demanding NBA season.
“There will be ups and downs,” Edgecombe noted. “I have to take the downs with the ups. But I have to stay the course.”
Despite the external chatter about the 76ers' injury woes, Edgecombe and the team remain focused and undeterred by the noise.