V.J. Edgecombe and LeBron James
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V.J. Edgecombe and LeBron James during a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers in December 2025
V .J. Edgecombe has made an electrifying start to his NBA career with the Philadelphia 76ers, continuing his dominant form in a win over the New York Knicks on Saturday night.
The 20-year-old scored 26 points on 10-of-16 shooting, 4-of-9 from three-point range, alongside two rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks to power Philadelphia to a 130-119 victory.
Tyrese Maxey led the way with 36 points, while Joel Embiid also added 26, but all eyes, and the highlight reels, were fixed on the star rookie, who hit statistical milestones rarely seen from a player so early in his career.
Philadelphia 76ers Rookie Making Waves
Through 29 games this season, Edgecombe is averaging 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals while shooting a scorching 38.2 percent from beyond the arc. His breakout over the last three games, however, has brought him national attention.
Over a three-game winning streak against the Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, and the Knicks, Edgecombe has totaled 74 points, 10 steals, and four blocks.
According to OptaSTATS, he is the first rookie since LeBron James in December 2003 to compile numbers of this magnitude across three consecutive games.
“We’re blessed to have him,” Maxey said following Edgecombe’s game-winner against Memphis. “You can thank the basketball gods, or Daryl Morey, or whoever. He’s got a chance to be a special player.”
Edgecombe’s combination of scoring, athleticism, and defensive instincts has translated seamlessly to the NBA, making him a versatile threat on both ends of the floor.
He has adjusted quickly to the league’s pace and physicality, demonstrating he can handle the spotlight and responsibilities that come with playing significant minutes alongside stars like Maxey, Embiid, and Paul George.
Rising Star in Rookie of the Year Conversations
Selected third overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, Edgecombe’s performances have firmly placed him in Rookie of the Year conversations. In the league’s most recent ladder rankings, he ranked third.
His 478 points this season are fourth-highest among rookies, trailing only Jeremiah Fears, Kon Knueppel, and Cooper Flagg. He also ranks second in three-pointers made with 65, seventh in rebounds with 154, joint-fifth in assists with 113, and third in steals with 41.
What sets Edgecombe apart is his ability to contribute on a veteran-heavy roster while helping the Sixers win. Philadelphia currently sits fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 19-14 record, just three games behind the Knicks in second place, and are clearly trending in the right direction.
Edgecombe is averaging the most points per game by a Sixers rookie since Joel Embiid, proving that his impact is not a short-term streak. His two-way contributions on offense and defense are evident and provide balance to a team that relies on both seasoned stars and emerging talent.
If Edgecombe maintains this trajectory, he could quickly become one of the defining players of his draft class and a cornerstone for Philadelphia’s future, signaling that the Sixers may have unearthed a star-level talent in the making.