Philadelphia 76ers rookie guard VJ Edgecombe during an NBA game.
The Philadelphia 76ers just got a real game-day boost ahead of their matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers: rookie VJ Edgecombe is available after dealing with a left adductor contusion, per team-reporter updates shared Jan. 14. The same reports also noted Kelly Oubre Jr. is available as well.
Keith Pompey
VJ Edgecombe (left adductor contusion) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (Illness) have been upgraded to AVAILABLE for tonight’s game. #Sixers
That “everybody counts” availability news matters, because Sixers vs. Cavaliers is one of the biggest NBA search terms on the board today, and it’s also a swing game in the East with both teams hovering around the same tier in the standings. Cleveland entered the night 22-19, while Philadelphia entered 22-16.
How to Watch Sixers vs Cavaliers: Time, date, TV, location
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 ime: 7:00 p.m. ETLocation: Philadelphia (76ers home floor)TV: The game is listed for ESPN
Injury update: VJ Edgecombe availability changes the Sixers’ options
This is where the late-breaking news angle shows up for Philadelphia: when you’re getting key rotation pieces backon the same day you’re facing a high-powered opponent, it opens up the kind of lineup flexibility coaches love.
The NBA’s official injury report (issued Wednesday evening) had Edgecombe, Joel Embiid and Paul George listed as probable, while Oubre was also on the report. From there, late-afternoon team-reporter updates indicated Edgecombe (and Oubre) were upgraded to available, which is why his name started trending.
Edgecombe being available isn’t just a “nice to have.” It directly impacts how Philadelphia can build its wing minutes and second-unit scoring against a Cleveland team that loves to pressure the ball and run in transition. When Edgecombe is in the mix, the Sixers can stay bigger and more athletic on the perimeter without sacrificing pace, and it also takes some ball-handling stress off the starters in non-Embiid minutes.
Even if he doesn’t start, Edgecombe has mattered because he gives Nick Nurse another guard/wing who can defend up a position, attack closeouts, and keep the offense from getting stagnant when the game slows into a half-court grind. That’s especially relevant against the Cavaliers, who can throw multiple defenders at primary creators and force you to win with quick decisions.
Bottom line: with Edgecombe and Oubre available, the Sixers’ bench combinations get cleaner, more defense, more tempo, and more optionality if foul trouble or matchup hunting hits early.
On Cleveland’s side, the Cavaliers have been dealing with wing absences, including Max Strus and Dean Wade listed out in previews/injury rundowns.
Betting line for Cavaliers vs 76ers: Spread and total
As of Wednesday afternoon/evening, the consensus market had Philadelphia favored by 1.5 points with an over/under around 235.5.
Sixers vs Cavaliers Prediction
The biggest “if” is still the same one: Embiid’s status (even when he’s trending toward playing). If Embiid goes, I’d lean 76ers -1.5, mostly because Cleveland has to deal with Philadelphia’s half-court offenseand the Sixers’ improved rotation depth if Edgecombe and Oubre are truly full-go.
UPDATE: Embiid has been reported as a starter vs. the Cavaliers
For the total, 235.5 is high, but both teams can score in bunches, so a cautious lean would be over if you like a faster pace, and under if you expect a more physical, whistle-heavy game that slows late.
One more note: these teams have already seen each other, with Cleveland taking a 132-121 win in November. That’s another reason Wednesday feels like a tone-setter for the mini-series.