76ers’ Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe Jr takes questions from the media at a press conference at the NBA basketball team’s facility, Friday, June 27, 2025, Camden, N.J. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
By JONATHAN BURROWS
Tribune Sports Reporter
jburrows@tribunemedia.net
VALDEZ ‘VJ’ Edgecombe Jr was ruled out of the Philadelphia 76ers’ matchup against the Detroit Pistons last night after sustaining an abdominal contusion in Saturday’s 127-116 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, where the Bahamian guard delivered the best performance of his sophomore season.
Edgecombe Jr was a late addition to Philadelphia’s injury report after initially being listed as questionable, forcing the unbeaten Sixers to face Detroit without the 21-year-old as they looked to extend their winning start to four games.
Head coach Nick Nurse confirmed that Edgecombe was injured during the Milwaukee game but managed to play through the discomfort before soreness became a greater concern the following day.
“I don’t know if you remember in the game last night he took that knee right in that area,” Nurse said. “Yeah, he obviously played through the game and all that kind of stuff. Just very sore today.”
The injury came after Edgecombe Jr produced 17 points and a season-high 13 rebounds in 30 minutes against Milwaukee, helping Philadelphia improve to 3-0. He shot 5 of 13 from the field and connected on five of his 10 attempts from beyond the three- point line. He also recorded two assists, one steal and two blocked shots, with 11 of his rebounds coming on the defensive end.
His five made three pointers were particularly notable, as Edgecombe continued to demonstrate his ability to contribute as a perimeter threat while playing alongside an established group of NBA stars.
The performance was his most productive of the regular season to that point, following nine points, four rebounds and one assist in the season opener against the New York Knicks and 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Philadelphia’s victory over Milwaukee was led by Joel Embiid, who recorded 28 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for a triple double, while Tyrese Maxey added 26 points and Jaylen Brown scored 27 on his 30th birthday.With LeBron James sitting out the first game of the back-to-back set for lower back management, the Sixers relied on their other leading players to maintain their unbeaten record.
Brown’s three pointer off an Embiid pass made it 120-114 and gave the centre the assist he needed to complete his triple double. Kentavious Caldwell Pope then converted another three pointer following a Milwaukee turnover to extend the lead and help Philadelphia withstand the Bucks’ late push.
The Sixers shot 40 of 98 from the field and made 19 of 44 three point attempts, while converting 28 of 34 free throws.
Edgecombe’s strong showing came during a period of growing confidence for the organisation in the 20-year-old guard, who finished third in the NBA Rookie of the Year voting last season after averaging 16 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists across 75 games.
Philadelphia also made a significant commitment to his future last week, exercising the third year option on his rookie scale contract for the 2027 to 2028 season. The move guarantees Edgecombe a salary of approximately $12.22 million for that season.
Originally selected third overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, Edgecombe earned unanimous selection to the NBA All Rookie First Team after establishing himself as a regular starter in his first professional season.
He finished his rookie season with 1,199 points and 149 made three pointers, becoming the first Philadelphia rookie since Allen Iverson in 1996 to record at least 1,000 points and 125 three pointers in a season.
The Sixers’ decision to exercise his option reinforces their long term plans for a player who has already demonstrated his ability to contribute across several areas of the game.
Philadelphia entered Sunday’s meeting with Detroit at 3-0, while the Pistons were also unbeaten at 2-0. Edgecombe’s absence was an early setback for a Sixers side seeking to maintain its momentum, particularly after his all round contribution against Milwaukee.
His recovery from the abdominal contusion will be closely watched as Philadelphia continues its early season schedule.