Rookie VJ Edgecombe returned from a three-game absence on Tuesday, helping the Philadelphia 76ers to a victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Edgecombe finished with 21 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals in the 139-129 win as the Sixers improved to 2-4 in March. Playing for the first time since suffering a lumbar contusion on March 3, Edgecombe went 7-of-15 from the field in 34 minutes, 32 seconds.
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The third overall pick played a key role in leading the short-handed Sixers back from a 14-point deficit in the second half. The group outscored the Grizzlies 71-58 after shooting 52.3% from the field over the last two quarters, including 41-25 in the fourth quarter.
“I really thought VJ gave us a huge spark,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse said. “He just all of a sudden started getting offensive rebounds and putbacks. I thought he, leadership-wise, with his energy, kind of really sparked that run with some of his tough plays he was making.”
Edgecombe returned to the lineup on Tuesday with the Sixers down Joel Embiid (oblique), Paul George (suspension) and Tyrese Maxey (finger). He showcased his typical high-flying ability in spurts, while also coming up with several momentum-changing hustle plays.
With Edgecombe pouring in his 17th 20-point game of the season, the Sixers also received strong contributions from Cam Payne (32 points, 10 assists) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (30 points, 12 rebounds). Payne went 8-for-8 from 3-point range, the most makes in franchise history without a miss.
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Edgecombe is averaging 15.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 35.8% from 3-point range in 58 appearances with the Sixers. He is third in rookie scoring and one of seven first-year players to score at least 30 points in a game this season.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Sixers news: VJ Edgecombe singled out after return from injury