It will not be simple for rookie VJ Edgecombe to prime the dazzling begin to his NBA profession, however the Philadelphia 76ers guard may have an opportunity on Saturday towards 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 protecting issues easy forward of Saturday’s house opener.
“It is simply basketball. I strive to not overthink it,” Edgecombe stated. “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 towards Boston — is a tandem the staff will proceed to depend 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 properly within the open court docket,” Edgecombe stated of taking part in with Maxey. “Taking part in quick is one thing that we wish to do. When Joel’s absolutely again, it should 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 trying to snap a 10-game shedding streak towards the 76ers relationship again to December 2022, opened its yr 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 staff’s scoring output in recreation No. 1 would’ve been the third most for the Hornets final yr.
“Pretty much as good as I believed we have been, we are able to get higher,” Charlotte head coach Charles Lee stated. “Offensively, I beloved the tempo we have been capable of maintain. … We have got to proceed to be robust 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 stated. “It was cool to see them influence the sport in so some ways. From Ryan blocking pictures to Kon spacing the ground, they’ve each labored onerous for the reason that 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.
–Subject Degree Media
