MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 31, 2025: The Philadelphia 76ers desperately needed a spark to halt their three-game slide. They found it not in a seasoned All-Star, but in the icy veins of a 20-year-old rookie.
VJ Edgecombe, the third overall pick in the 2025 draft, drilled a tie-breaking 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds remaining in overtime Tuesday night, lifting the Sixers to a chaotic 139-136 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. The shot silenced the FedExForum crowd and overshadowed a ferocious 40-point performance from Ja Morant, who had single-handedly dragged Memphis into the extra period.
I was actually trying to go when the buzzer went off, but it was a little bit too early, Edgecombe admitted post-game, displaying the calm that has quickly endeared him to head coach Nick Nurse. But it went in, and that’s all that matters.
The Rookie Arrives
While Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey provided the heavy lifting both finishing with 34 points it was Edgecombe who played the role of closer. The rookie from Baylor didn’t just hit the winner; he was a revelation on both ends of the floor, tallying 25 points, six rebounds, four assists, and four steals.
His performance was a lifeline for Philadelphia (17-14). Late in the fourth quarter, with the Grizzlies surging, Edgecombe buried two critical triples to keep the Sixers afloat. In overtime, when the Memphis defense swarmed Maxey on the final possession, the ball swung to Edgecombe. He didn’t hesitate.
It’s a big shot, Nurse said. He’s kind of like that all the time. I never see him show much emotion. I think it’s an incredible quality.
Morant’s Brilliance, Wasted
For the Grizzlies (15-18), the loss was a bitter pill, particularly given the heroics of their superstar. Ja Morant looked every bit the MVP candidate, slicing through the Sixers’ defense for a season-high 40 points on 16-of-22 shooting.
Morant was virtually unstoppable in the clutch, scoring the final four points of regulation to force overtime and tying the game at 136 with a driving layup with 18 seconds left in the extra session. Despite his brilliance and a breakout game from rookie Cedric Coward who posted career highs of 28 points and 16 rebounds Memphis couldn’t overcome their own sloppiness.
Under first-year head coach Tuomas Iisalo, the Grizzlies have struggled with consistency. Tuesday was no different. Memphis committed 20 turnovers, which Philadelphia converted into 21 points. In a game decided by a single possession, those empty trips proved fatal.
A Tale of Two Trajectories
The victory serves as a potential turning point for the Sixers. After a sluggish week, the Big Three dynamic of Embiid, Maxey, and the emerging Edgecombe showed high-level cohesion. Paul George added 17 points, providing the veteran stability needed when the offense stalled.
Meanwhile, Memphis faces questions. Despite Iisalo’s innovative offensive schemes, the Grizzlies are hovering below .500. They have the firepower evident in their 55% shooting night but lack the discipline to close out tight games against elite competition.
We gave them too many chances, Morant said, visibly frustrated. You can’t turn the ball over 20 times against a team like that and expect to win.
