PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers got a glimpse at the future in Friday night’s preseason finale win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe raced up and down the floor as if they were shot out of one of those T-Shirt cannons that the hype crowd shoots during timeouts. It led to easy baskets and an electric style of basketball.
Following a miserable 2024-25 season, the Sixers landed the No. 3 pick in the draft and selected Edgecombe. Following a terrific season at Baylor, Edgecombe now joins a Sixers team that has their eyes on winning a championship. If the preseason is any indication, Edgecombe and Maxey are going to be one tough backcourt to defend.
Maxey had 27 points, seven assists and Edgecombe had 26 points, six assists, and five steals. Was it just the preseason? Yes. Did the Timberwolves play any of their main guys? No, but it was an impressive showing.
“He makes good decisions,” Maxey said of Edgecombe. “Nobody can speed him up. I think he plays extremely mature for being a rookie. He’s good. He’s good at basketball.”
When the Sixers selected Edgecombe, one could have assumed that he would mostly play off the ball, but he handled the ball a lot on Friday against the Wolves and it was impressive to see. He didn’t make many bad decisions, he passed the ball well, and he was attacking the basket whenever he saw an opening. It was the type of performance that shows his potential in this league.
Maxey saw it from an offseason workout.
“I think when I came to the workout and you could just see, yeah, he’s young, but he’s a mature young guy,” Maxey explained. “You know what I’m saying? Kudos to him, dude. What he’s doing out here right now is good and I’m ready to see him in some real action and I can’t wait for him to get started on his career.”
Maxey has taken on the leadership role in Philadelphia. Not only did he take Edgecombe out to Disneyland, but he has also been in the gym with him putting in work in order to prepare for the long road ahead. Of course, the now 6-year guard out of Kentucky has his eyes set on setting a standard in Philadelphia. Therefore, he continues to take on that leadership role.
“Reese is a leader, man,” Edgecombe stated. “It’s undeniable. He’s a leader. He’s someone that wants to win also. So, he’s gonna do what he has to do. If that takes him being vocal, that’s what he’ll do.”
The Sixers will be looking to Maxey and Edgecombe to lead the way when they open the season on Wednesday against the Boston Celtics.