NBA Notes: Sixers, VJ Edgecombe, Nets, Ziaire Williams, Blazers

76ers

Rookie VJ Edgecombe is quickly earning respect inside the Sixers locker room, and from Joel Embiid himself.

After a 34-point debut, the first-year guard followed it up with 15 points, six rebounds, eight assists and three steals in Saturday’s win over Charlotte, as relayed by Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

“You’ve got to keep being aggressive, but also let the game come to you,” Embiid said. “Every night it might be Tyrese (Maxey). It might be me. It might be him. But you’ve still got to play the right way.

“Some nights, you’re not going to score. How else are you going to contribute? He’s doing it defensively and sharing the ball.”

Edgecombe’s all-around play has given Philly another dynamic option alongside Embiid and Maxey as they look to stay near the top of the East.

Nets

The Nets can’t seem to catch a break. They’ve now dropped three straight after Sunday’s loss in San Antonio and lost Ziaire Williams to a lower back contusion in the process, Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports.

Williams said he wanted to play through it but couldn’t move comfortably after landing hard.

“It just got real tight,” he said. “Hopefully with recovery and rest, I’ll bounce back.”

Brooklyn was already shorthanded, missing Haywood Highsmith (knee surgery) and rookies Drake Powell and Danny Wolf (ankle sprains).

Cam Thomas, who’s playing through a nasal fracture, said he’ll keep going without a mask.

“If I’m good enough to play, I’ll be out there,” he said.

Meanwhile, rookie guard Egor Demin continues to show flashes. Lewis notes Demin’s outside shooting has impressed early, but the 20-year-old says he’s focused on attacking more.

“We have a lot of shooters,” he said. “Getting to the paint helps make their lives easier. That’s what I’m working on.”

Trail Blazers

In the G League, the Rip City Remix made headlines by acquiring 2024 first-rounder Dillon Jones from the South Bay Lakers for two future first-round picks and the rights to Will Richardson, per ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.

Jones was the No. 1 pick in the G League draft. Originally, in he was selected 26th overall by Oklahoma City last June but appeared sparingly as a rookie.

He was later traded to Washington and waived before opening night, though he’s still owed $2.75 million in guaranteed money.

The Remix’s aggressive move could signal that Portland wants a closer look at Jones, though any NBA roster move would require an opening. The Trail Blazers currently have a full 15-man roster and all three two-way slots filled.