Boston Celtics
“I do not know if I’ve ever seen somebody have that of their debut. He had a very good recreation.”
Sixers guard VJ Edgecombe placed on the third-highest scoring rookie debut performance in NBA historical past throughout Wednesday’s season opener at TD Backyard.
Edgecombe poured in 34 factors, trailing solely Wilt Chamberlain and Frank Selvy, each of whom hit their marks within the Fifties. Philadelphia’s franchise file was 30 factors, which Allen Iverson scored in his first recreation in 1996.
“He’s clearly a very good participant,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla mentioned. “He scored, hit 5 threes. Bought to the free-throw line somewhat bit however obtained lots in transition. He’s only a good participant so it’s a credit score to them and after we play them we’ve to be higher at defending him.”
Edgecombe made half of his 26 field-goal makes an attempt and grabbed seven rebounds. The rookie made his presence felt on an evening when the Sixers have been with out Paul George and getting nearly no offense from former MVP Joel Embiid (4 factors, 1-9 from the sphere).
“For a rookie to come back in, first recreation, and put up (that a lot) was spectacular,” Celtics guard Derrick White mentioned. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen somebody have that of their debut. He had a very good recreation.”
The Celtics held the Sixers to 18 factors within the third quarter, however Philadelphia exploded for 42 within the fourth, closing out the sport with a flourish. Tyrese Maxey led the way in which with 40 factors.
“I feel simply tendencies,” Celtics guard Jaylen Brown mentioned. “We let Maxey get going and we’ve obtained to do a greater job particularly on certainly one of their higher gamers on the ground. Bought to pay extra consideration to him, we type of let him run free somewhat bit. Any person has to ensure, we will’t let that occur.”
“I don’t know if we have been too targeted on the offensive finish. We are able to’t let guys simply are available in right here and do what they need.”
Edgecombe set the tone within the first quarter, scoring 12 factors which broke LeBron James’s file for many factors by a rookie within the first quarter of a debut.
The 6-foot-4, 180-pound guard was the No. 3 general choose within the 2025 Draft, and he performed prefer it on Wednesday evening. With him and Maxey within the fold, Philadelphia now has an athletic backcourt pairing that may very well be round for years to come back. Maxey is 24. Edgecombe is 20.
The Celtics have been clearly shorthanded with out Jayson Tatum, however they let a rookie steal the present on opening evening.
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