VJ Edgecombe’s playoff surge

Rookie VJ Edgecombe scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Boston Celtics 111–97 in Game 2 to even their first‑round series 1–1. (nba.com) At 20 years, 265 days old, Edgecombe became the youngest player in NBA playoff history to post a 30‑point, 10‑rebound game, a mark that surpassed Magic Johnson and was the first such rookie line since Tim Duncan in 1998. (nba.com) Edgecombe shot 12‑for‑20 from the field and 6‑for‑10 from three, while teammate Tyrese Maxey added 29 points and nine assists; the duo combined for 59 points in the 111–97 win at TD Garden. (nba.com) Edgecombe scored 16 of his 20 first‑half points in the second quarter and returned to play after twice going to the locker room following a hard fall earlier in the game. (nba.com) Boston’s defense — which often left Edgecombe alone to help on Maxey and used Sam Hauser as a primary on‑ball defender — paid for the decision as Edgecombe knocked down multiple spot‑up threes. (si.com) The 76ers remain without star center Joel Embiid after he underwent an appendectomy on April 9 and was ruled out indefinitely, raising the importance of Edgecombe’s scoring in the opening round. (nba.com) Edgecombe was the No. 3 overall pick in last June’s NBA Draft and earlier this season set the franchise rookie‑debut scoring mark with 34 points at TD Garden on Oct. 22, 2025. (nba.com) “ He’s been impressive all season long,” Paul George said after Game 2, and Tyrese Maxey added, “We’ve been saying it all year, but what he showed tonight was maturity.” (nba.com) The series now shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Friday, April 24, when the Celtics and 76ers will renew the rivalry at the 76ers’ home arena. (sportingnews.com)