Justin Edwards Hits a Rough Patch, But Sixers Stay Confident in Young Forward
ATLANTA - Justin Edwards has already shown flashes of why the Sixers are high on him. Whether it was knocking down clutch shots late against the Celtics or stepping up in tight moments versus the Bucks, the second-year forward has proven he can deliver when it counts. But like any young player finding his footing in the league, the road isn’t always smooth.
The last two games have been a tough stretch for the Philadelphia native. In Sunday’s 120-117 loss to the Hawks, Edwards went 0-for-5 from the field, including 0-for-3 from beyond the arc. That performance followed a similarly cold shooting night in Friday’s win over the Pacers, where he again went 0-for-5 and missed all four of his three-point attempts.
That’s 0-for-10 from the field and 0-for-7 from deep across two games - a slump by any definition. But if you’re expecting head coach Nick Nurse to hit the panic button, think again.
“Listen, I think that he’s giving great effort, right?” Nurse said after Sunday’s loss. “And that’s the one thing I always say I like about him.”
Effort has never been the issue with Edwards. Even when the shots aren’t falling, he brings energy on both ends - running the floor, defending multiple positions, and spacing the court. Nurse acknowledged that not every shot Edwards took was ideal, but he also noted the importance of keeping him aggressive and involved.
“I gotta look at the film. I know he had a couple good looks, again, but I’m not sure all of the five shots were great looks,” Nurse said.
“But he is gonna space and shoot, and we need him. We need him to go out there and play.”
That last part matters. The Sixers aren’t just tolerating Edwards’ minutes - they’re counting on them.
His size and versatility give Philadelphia options on both ends of the floor. Even in a shooting slump, his presence creates spacing and matchup problems.
That’s the kind of value that doesn’t always show up in a box score.
And for a second-year player still adjusting to the rhythm of an 82-game season, some inconsistency is expected. Nurse made it clear that this isn’t a long-term concern - just one of the inevitable bumps in the road for a young talent.
“He’ll get going and settle in, I’m sure,” Nurse said. “He’s still a very, very young player.
He’s gonna go through some moments like this. This probably won’t be the last one, but he’ll get on the upswing, for sure.”
The Sixers now have a four-day break before their next matchup against the New York Knicks on Friday. That’s a valuable reset window for the team - and for Edwards, a chance to regroup, get some shots up, and work his way back into rhythm.
If his past performances are any indication, it’s only a matter of time before he finds it again.