Bahamian VJ Edgecombe’s Historic Night Carries 76ers Past Celtics 111-97

BOSTON, United States – VJ Edgecombe’s record-breaking performance helped the Philadelphia 76ers bounce back from their opening game defeat to stun the Boston Celtics 111-97 at TD Garden here on Tuesday.

The Bahamian guard dropped a team-high 30 points and 10 rebounds and Tyrese Maxey scored 29 points to help them level the best-of-seven playoff series at 1-1.

At 20 years and 265 days old, he became the youngest player in NBA history to post a 30-point, 10-rebound playoff game.

Edgecombe’s 30 points were also the most by a 76ers rookie in a playoff game in 45 years, since Andrew Toney had 35 in the 76ers’ 118-99 loss to the Celtics in Game 2 of their 1981 Eastern Conference finals.

His six three-pointers set a franchise record for most 3’s in a playoff game by a rookie and his 16 points in the second quarter are the most in any quarter of a playoff game by a 76ers rookie.

Edgecombe is also the first rookie in NBA history with 10 rebounds and six three-pointers in a playoff game.

“I just try not to overthink it. I try not to put pressure on myself; everyone else is already putting pressure on us to perform. I try not to put pressure on myself,” Edgecombe said.

“I’m around a great group of guys, that has also helped me keep instilling confidence in me to keep going regardless of who is on the floor, who is not on the floor. It is just a big shout-out to my teammates and coaches.”