Imagine this: the clock is ticking down, the game is on the line, and a rookie steps up to take the shot that could change everything. That’s exactly what happened when VJ Edgecombe, the Philadelphia 76ers’ 2025 third draft pick, sunk a last-second 3-pointer to secure a 139-136 overtime victory against the Memphis Grizzlies. But here’s where it gets intriguing—Edgecombe admits he actually mistimed the shot. ‘I was trying to go when the buzzer went off, but it was a little too early,’ he confessed. ‘But it went in, and that’s all that matters.’ Bold move? Absolutely. Lucky? Maybe. But it worked, and it’s got everyone talking.
This wasn’t just a one-shot wonder, though. Edgecombe, a 6-foot-4 guard out of Baylor, had already been lighting up the court. He dropped 13 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, hitting clutch 3-pointers that erased a Grizzlies lead. And this is the part most people miss—his ability to stay calm under pressure. ‘I never see him show much emotion,’ Sixers coach Nick Nurse noted. ‘He just plays the game.’ That poise, combined with his scoring prowess (averaging 15.5 points per game), makes Edgecombe a player to watch.
The game itself was a rollercoaster. After Edgecombe’s late 3-pointer in regulation gave the Sixers a 128-121 lead, Ja Morant and the Grizzlies fought back to force overtime. In the extra period, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid (both with 34 points), and Paul George (17 points) kept Philadelphia in it, setting the stage for Edgecombe’s heroics. ‘My teammates have faith in us to make a play,’ Edgecombe said humbly. But let’s be real—this was his moment.
Now, here’s the controversial question: Was this shot a stroke of genius or a lucky break? And more importantly, is Edgecombe the real deal, or is this just a rookie hot streak? Let us know what you think in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to heat up faster than a buzzer-beater.
