The Sixers opened their Las Vegas play at the 2K26 summer league falling flat to the San Antonio Spurs 111- 70.
Sixers fans were frightened by last night's news that VJ Edgecombe was ruled out for tonight’s matchup with a thumb sprain. According to PHLY’s Kyle Neubeck & Derek Bodner, who are currently in Las Vegas, Edgecombe was getting shots up in practice and appeared unbothered by the sprain.
Concerns should be further quelled as the third overall pick joined ESPN’s Katie George for an interview during the second quarter. Edgecombe said he is hopeful he will play in Vegas after being reevaluated on Saturday. Check out the post below for the full interview.
“I was ready to go hoop,” Edgecombe on his 28-point summer league debut.
Full VJ Edgecombe interview with ESPN’s @Katie_George05:
VJ says he is “hopeful” to play in Vegas “if I’m allowed to play”
Says he has spoken to both Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.
Says he is most excited that he is “surrounded by superstars” to learn from. pic.twitter.com/eYhfUKeLFz
— Drew Peltzman (@dapeltz13) July 11, 2025
This game was a bloodbath from the start. The Sixers were down 18-4 after six minutes with only one made shot. That shot was a Justin Edwards three, and it was one of only two shots he would make the whole game, on only six attempts.
Despite having a solid outing to close out play in Salt Lake, he would not carry any momentum into tonight. He finished with six points off of two threes, one rebound and three turnovers, looking disinterested to match the intensity displayed by the Spurs early on.
Not to be unfair to Edwards, as everyone on the roster appeared jet-lagged until the second quarter. Adem Bona displayed his athleticism, holding his own defending on the perimeter, being trusted as the point man in a zone defense, and going coast-to-coast himself to finish a contested layup in transition.
He would have a similar transition play in the fourth quarter, but off of a dime from Judah Mintz and finishing with a violent slam.
Bona would finish with six points, five rebounds, two blocks, a steal, and only four fouls.
Sixers newest signing Dominick Barlow also played a part in changing the tone in the second half, bulldozing Spurs forward Riley Minix and finishing for two. He made three of his five shots, did not attempt any threes, and tacked on five rebounds.
Keve Aluma led the team in scoring with 12, but it was St. Peter’s Prep product Mark Armstrong (10 points) who lit a spark off the bench, showcasing shot creation and movement shooting for a squad that desperately needed it.
Spurs forward David Jones-Garcia continued his hot summer league start and set the tone for them physically. He finished with a game-high 24 points, efficiently making nine of his 12 shots. This happens to be the same “David Jones” Sixers fans may remember from last year’s summer league roster. There just may have been some bad blood.
The Sixers will be back in action in Vegas against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.