On a night when the spotlight was supposed to shine on returning stars and seasoned veterans, it was a rookie who stole the show. In his first-ever NBA game, the Philadelphia 76ers’ No. 3 overall pick, VJ Edgecombe, delivered a performance that was not only electrifying, but historic. With 34 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in a nail-biting 117–116 win over the Boston Celtics, Edgecombe etched his name into the record books and into the hearts of Sixers fans everywhere.
Edgecombe’s 34-point outburst ranks as the third-highest scoring debut in NBA history, trailing only legends Wilt Chamberlain and Frank Selvy. He also broke the Philadelphia franchise record for points in a debut, surpassing Allen Iverson’s 30-point mark from 1996.
VJ EDGECOMBE JUST HAD THE MOST POINTS IN AN NBA DEBUT SINCE WILT CHAMBERLAIN 🚨🚨🚨
34 for the #3 pick… 3rd highest-scoring debut ever in the @sixers win! pic.twitter.com/xwjvqMZcsH
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2025
What made the performance even more remarkable was the context: the Sixers were trailing by double digits entering the fourth quarter, and Joel Embiid, returning from injury, was limited to just 4 points. Edgecombe stepped up, playing a team-high 42 minutes and delivering clutch buckets down the stretch.
Edgecombe wasted no time making his presence felt. He scored 14 points in the first quarter alone, the most ever in the opening frame of an NBA debut, surpassing LeBron James’s 12-point start in 2003.
Born in the Bahamas and a standout at Baylor, Edgecombe was named Big 12 Rookie of the Year before declaring for the draft. His journey to the NBA has been marked by relentless work ethic and determination. After the game, he reflected on the moment:
“I worked every day, and all my life, for moments like this. This is my dream,” Edgecombe said. “I prayed for this. I always prayed to make it to the NBA and to stay in the NBA. Man, yeah, that was crazy. That surpassed my expectation, to be honest.”
Edgecombe’s energy lifted the team, his confidence steadied the offense, and his poise under pressure hinted at a maturity beyond his years. With Tyrese Maxey also dropping 40 points, the Sixers suddenly look like a team with multiple offensive engines.
If Edgecombe’s debut is any indication, the Sixers may have found their next franchise cornerstone. His ability to score, defend, and lead in crunch time suggests a ceiling that’s not just All-Star level, but potentially superstar.
