VJ Edgecombe could give the 76ers a different kind of advantage in their Knicks opener image
The Philadelphia 76ers arrive at Madison Square Garden with a new collection of stars and a young player who could help make the lineup work. Jaylen Brown and LeBron James have joined Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, creating one of the league’s most talent-heavy groups. But the question is not only how much star power Philadelphia has. It is how the pieces function together, particularly against the New York Knicks, who beat the 76ers in the 2026 playoffs before winning the championship.
That puts VJ Edgecombe in an interesting spot. The second-year guard averaged 16 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists as a rookie, and he led all rookies with 1.4 steals per game. He also became one of only two rookies to average at least 16 points, five rebounds and four assists. Those numbers reflect a player who can contribute without needing every possession built around him.
The young guard’s job is to make the stars’ jobs easier
Philadelphia’s stars will draw the defensive focus, which could leave Edgecombe with chances to attack open space, make the extra pass or turn a stop into a transition opportunity. Against a veteran team like New York, those small plays can keep the floor balanced. If Edgecombe can defend aggressively without fouling and stay decisive when he gets the ball, he gives the 76ers another useful option beyond their headline names.
There is one current availability note: Edgecombe sat out Philadelphia’s preseason finale with soreness, but he practiced Sunday and was expected to play in Tuesday’s opener.
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Philadelphia needs the whole lineup to fit
The matchup will be a tough first setting for a lineup still learning its habits. The 76ers are coming off a 45-37 season and a conference semifinal appearance. Their additions raise expectations, but Embiid’s health and the challenge of making the group fit remain central questions. The NBA’s season preview notes that Embiid played only 96 regular-season games over the previous three years.
Edgecombe won’t need to outscore the stars for Philadelphia to benefit from him. His value may show up in the minutes when the stars are sharing the floor: a timely steal, a smart cut, a defensive stop or a quick pass that keeps the offense moving. In a game where attention will gravitate toward the biggest names, that could be the kind of contribution that makes the 76ers more than a collection of them.
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