[embedded content]
V.J. Edgecombe described his first postseason environment in direct terms after helping the Philadelphia 76ers secure a 109-97 win over the Orlando Magic. The rookie finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds and immediately pointed to the atmosphere.
“It was great. It was great. High intensity,” Edgecombe said. “It’s loud. I enjoyed it for sure.”
Philadelphia used timely runs and defensive stops to separate late, and Edgecombe highlighted execution as the difference. He framed the game through a basic basketball principle.
“Basketball is a game of runs. Each team will have their own run, but it’s all about who capitalized,” Edgecombe said. “I feel like we capitalized on the opportunity when it was given to us.”
The first-year wing admitted the moment sped him up at times, especially early in the game. He acknowledged the pace and energy affected his rhythm before he settled in.
“I’ll be honest, I did,” Edgecombe said. “I was tweaking a little bit tonight, but I was able to settle in.”
Even with that adjustment period, Edgecombe leaned into the chaos rather than avoiding it. “If I got to play wild for us to win, I’ll play wild,” he said.
One of his key moments came on a late finish through contact that helped extend the lead. He credited Andre Drummond for creating the opportunity.
“Drum made a really good pass,” Edgecombe said. “I just tried to muscle my way through and finish.”
The rookie was also assessed a technical foul after a physical sequence, something he attributed to momentum rather than intent. “I thought my momentum just took me all the way there,” he said. “I wasn’t a fan of it, but it’s cool.”
Edgecombe’s impact extended to the glass, where he grabbed 11 rebounds against a bigger front line. He emphasized positioning and effort as the key factors.
“I was just trying to get as much rebounds as possible so I can start a break,” he said. “They’re a really good second-chance team.”
Defensively, he embraced matchups against larger players like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. His approach focused on timing and disrupting rhythm.
“They’re just going to try to bully,” Edgecombe said. “I just try to beat them to the spot… I ain’t scared of nobody.”
Looking ahead, Edgecombe turned his attention to the upcoming series against Boston. He acknowledged the challenge while keeping the focus on effort and preparation.
“They’re a really good team,” he said. “We just got to go out and play hard every night.”
For Edgecombe, the milestone of reaching the playoffs carried significance beyond the box score. “It’s great to be in the playoffs,” he said. “Some teams are home, but it’s great to be in the playoffs.”
He also reflected on the overall experience in Philadelphia, where the crowd and physicality matched his expectations. “I love Philly fans, man,” Edgecombe said. “That’s the type of game I live for.”
