VJ Edgecombe shines and other things we learned in the Sixers’ 123-103 loss to the Thunder
Edgecombe scored 35 points in the loss. Plus, Monday's game should be the Sixers' last without Paul George, whose 25-game suspension has ended.
The Sixers’ 123-103 loss to the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder snapped their two-game win streak, but it wasn’t all bad.
Down five players, VJ Edgecombe carried the undermanned Sixers with one of the best performances of his young career. Here are three things we learned:
Edgecombe continues to thrive
With Quentin Grimes out with an illness, among all the other team’s injuries, an even larger offensive burden fell on Edgecombe’s shoulders against Oklahoma City.
» READ MORE: Jared McCain expects it to be ‘really weird’ to face his former Sixers teammates
He attempted 15 three-pointers, the most he has attempted in an NBA game, and made seven of them, the most he’s made in a game. Edgecombe continues to show the high-volume shooting Sixers coach Nick Nurse wants to see, taking 28 shots. His scoring touch has also returned. He scored 30 or more points for the second time in the last three games.
“He’s got a pretty good command of the team right now,” Nurse said. “As far as getting us organized, and as far as playing with great leadership, he’s leading by example a lot.”
When the Sixers’ injured starters return to the lineup, Edgecombe knows he’s not going to be taking a high volume of shots anymore. But this stretch as the top option will be key for his development, and Edgecombe said he has enjoyed getting the opportunity to test out different skills to see where he needs to learn and grow.
“It comes with finding your role, especially when you share the floor with such great players,“ Edgecombe said. ”With them on the floor, I can go out there and pick up full court. I can try to cause havoc defensively, cut, lock down, spot up shots, but on a night like this, where I have to have the ball in my hands, I have to control the game, or control the offense and get more of the shots.”
George’s suspension nears its end
Monday night was the Sixers’ final game without Paul George in the lineup after his 25-game suspension expires on Wednesday. Nurse doesn’t anticipate a ramp-up period for George, who’s been playing scout team and actively working out on-court with the Sixers through most of his suspension.
With Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Kelly Oubre Jr. still out, George’s return to the lineup will add a boost of scoring and improvement on the defensive perimeter. Before the suspension, George averaged 16 and shot 38.2% from three. His return will add off-ball support for Edgecombe, who has started at point guard since Maxey’s injury.
» READ MORE: Adem Bona, Andre Drummond, VJ Edgecombe among Sixers to watch UCLA-UConn
“It’s Paul George, man,” Edgecombe said. “He’s elite. He’s one of the smoothest players to ever touch a basketball. He’s a two-way player at that, so for him to get back on the floor means a lot.”
During George’s 25-game absence, the Sixers have stayed in the playoff race, and currently sit seventh in the Eastern Conference standings with 10 games to play. They are one game out of the sixth seed, which would allow them to bypass the play-in tournament.
“I think they’ve done a decent job of hanging in there,” Nurse said. “I think it just shows you how fast 25 games goes in this league sometimes. It’s hard to believe it’s over with already.”
McCain’s return
Jared McCain made his return to Philadelphia after the controversial trade that saw him shipped to Oklahoma City for a first and three second round picks.
McCain hit a three-pointer over Andre Drummond on his first touch in the first quarter, and hit another on the Thunder’s very next possession. He didn’t score again until the fourth quarter, adding another three and two layups for 13 points in 25 minutes off the bench. The Thunder were plus-19 with him on the floor.
