Philadelphia 76ers Rookie VJ Edgecombe Has Historic NBA Debut

The Philadelphia 76ers got exactly what they hoped for when they selected VJ Edgecombe third overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. In his first professional game Wednesday night, the Bahamian guard put on a show that had everyone from TD Garden to social media buzzing about what just happened.

Edgecombe dropped 34 points in the Philadelphia 76ers’ 117-116 win over the Boston Celtics, marking the third-highest scoring debut in NBA history. Only Wilt Chamberlain’s 43-point explosion in 1959 and Frank Selvy’s 35-point performance in 1954 rank higher.

What Made Edgecombe’s Debut Special

Edgecombe didn’t just chuck shots, either. He went 13-of-26 from the field and knocked down five three-pointers on 13 attempts. He added seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal while committing just two turnovers. The efficiency numbers tell the story of a rookie who understood the moment without being overwhelmed by it.

“I worked every day, and all my life, for moments like this,” Edgecombe told reporters after the game. “This is my dream. I prayed for this.”

Fourth Quarter Heroics

Down 13 points in the fourth quarter, the Philadelphia 76ers needed someone to step up alongside Tyrese Maxey. Edgecombe answered the call, pouring in nine points during the comeback. He played within the offense, made the right reads, and didn’t force the action.

The only blemish came with 8.5 seconds left when he missed two free throws with Philadelphia holding a one-point lead. Maxey made sure to give him grief about it in the locker room afterward, shouting across the way: “Hey, [No.] 77. You’re definitely a little nervous at the free-throw line.”

Philadelphia 76ers Find Their Future

Edgecombe’s 34 points shattered Allen Iverson’s Philadelphia 76ers debut record of 30 points set in 1996. That’s rarified air for a franchise with such a rich history. The performance had 76ers coach Nick Nurse singing his praises. “That’s an amazing first-game performance. It really is,” the Nurse said. “That’s a neat list to get on.”

Coming into the season, Cooper Flagg—selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks—was viewed as the presumptive Rookie of the Year. Edgecombe’s debut performance suddenly made that conversation much more interesting.

While Flagg and second pick Dylan Harper were set to face off against each other, Edgecombe made sure the spotlight found him instead. He outshined both top-two picks on opening night, proving that draft position doesn’t always tell the whole story.

Defensive Impact Beyond the Box Score

Teammate Dominick Barlow, who scored just two points in his own debut with San Antonio before getting blown out by 43, noticed something special about how Edgecombe carried himself. “He was just so composed and so calm. You don’t see it,” Barlow said. “That was special, to see how [Edgecombe] carries himself.”

That poise showed up on the defensive end, where Edgecombe made smart rotations and stayed engaged for all 40 minutes. He didn’t gamble for steals or lose focus when his shots weren’t falling.

The Road Ahead

Edgecombe’s debut exceeded even his own expectations. “That surpassed my expectation, to be honest,” he admitted postgame. There are 81 games left in the regular season. Rookie walls exist. Bad shooting nights happen. But the Philadelphia 76ers have to feel good about what they saw from their lottery pick in Game 1.