VJ Edgecombe has historic debut for 76ers in comeback win over Celtics

VJ Edgecombe has historic debut performance for 76ers

Edgecombe also set the franchise scoring record in a debut, surpassing Allen Iverson's 30 points in 1996 and did so on a night when guard Tyrese Maxey went off for a team-high 40 points (13-of-24 FG, 7-of-9 3PT).

The rookie wasted no time making some history with a 14-point outburst in the first quarter, more than LeBron James (12) had in his debut in 2003.

Edgecombe was solid all around, going 13-of-26 from the floor with five threes, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal. This lob from guard Kelly Oubre Jr. put Edgecombe up to 27 points and made it an 81-75 lead in favor of the Celtics with 1:40 remaining in the third quarter.

If was not easy for the 76ers, even against a Celtics team without All-Star Jayson Tatum, who is recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon. It took a pair of missed shots in the waning seconds from Celtics guard Payton Pritchard for Philadelphia to escape with the win, but for a team that only won 24 games one season ago and dealt with so many injuries, it is certainly a step in the right direction.

No rookie has put up better numbers in a debut this century, making Edgecombe's performance that much more special. He certainly showed why he was one of the most athletic players coming out of college and proved what Philadelphia saw in him in the draft.