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The Philadelphia 76ers added a late wrinkle to their injury report with shooting guard VJ Edgecombe, who is questionable for December 23’s game against the Brooklyn Nets at Xfinity Mobile Arena due to an illness.
Multiple reporters posted the same update on X, early on December 23, noting Edgecombe’s status change ahead of tipoff. As of the latest report, Philadelphia has not publicly confirmed whether Edgecombe will be available, making his pregame progression something to monitor right up until game time.
Key details to know
Player: VJ Edgecombe
Status: Questionable
Reason: Illness
Game: 76ers vs. Nets
Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena
Timing: Update surfaced the day of the matchup
VJ Edgecombe Listed as Questionable With Illness
“Illness” designations can be tricky because the timeline can move fast. A player can wake up feeling significantly better (or worse), and teams often wait as long as possible before making a final call, especially if symptoms are improving and the player is attempting to hydrate and go through a light pregame routine.
“Questionable” generally signals real uncertainty. It’s not the same as “probable” (which teams rarely use now), and it’s not “doubtful” or “out.” It means the 76ers are leaving the door open, but they also have to prepare for the possibility that Edgecombe won’t be able to go, or won’t be effective if he does suit up.
If Philadelphia does rule him out, the most immediate impact is simple: more minutes need to be redistributed on the wing and in the backcourt, and the rotation may tighten.
What It Means for the 76ers’ Rotation vs. Brooklyn
If Edgecombe can’t play, Philadelphia will likely handle the minutes in a few common ways:
A direct minutes replacement
The 76ers could bump up the workload for another perimeter guard/wing already in the regular rotation, especially if Edgecombe has been filling a defined bench role. That could mean Kelly Oubre gets a bump in usage, or Quentin Grimes sees more touches. Jared McCain, working his way back into form still this season, could also see a significant bump if Edgecombe is unable to go.
More ball-handling responsibility for the primary creators
Even if the “replacement” isn’t a one-for-one player type, the practical result is often the same: the primary guards initiate more sets, and the bench units lean on simpler offense.
A situational lineup tweak
Depending on matchups, the 76ers could go bigger (adding length/size) or smaller (adding shooting/spacing), particularly if they’re trying to protect against Brooklyn’s pace and perimeter creation.
The other factor: illness can limit a player even if he’s active. If Edgecombe is available but not at full strength, Philadelphia may cap his minutes or keep him on a shorter leash.
If Edgecombe is unable to go, Philly will lose his 16 points per game. The rookie has stood out this season, adding in five rebounds four assists and 1.3 steals per game. He’s a part of the season the 76ers have had a solid start, despite mainstay stars Joel Embiid and Paul George missing a significant amount of games.
What to Watch as Tipoff Approaches
The next “tell” is usually whether Edgecombe is moving normally during warmups and whether Philadelphia lists him as available closer to tip. If he’s ultimately ruled out, the 76ers’ rotation and second-unit shot creation become the biggest ripple effects to track early.
This also sets up a serial angle: if Edgecombe sits (or plays limited minutes), the follow-up story is straightforward—who absorbed his workload, what the coaching staff said afterward, and whether his status changes for the next game.
Erik Anderson is an award-winning sports journalist covering the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. Anderson is also the host of The Rip City Pod on The I-5 Corridor, where he dives into the stories and personalities shaping the Portland Trail Blazers. His work has appeared in nationally-recognized outlets including The New York Times, Associated Press , USA Today, and ESPN. More about Erik Anderson
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