Amidst Big 3’s Best Showing of Season, Edgecombe Takes Center Stage for 76ers

The 2025-26 season has been a rollercoaster for the Philadelphia 76ers. Joel Embiid and Paul George have missed significant time. However, Tyrese Maxey playing at MVP levels and V.J. Edgecombe beating expectations and filling up the stat sheet has helped Philadelphia overcome a mass of injuries. The Sixers are sitting at 17-14 just over a third of the way through the campaign.

Philadelphia’s solid start to the season came despite their “big 3” rarely being able to play together as a unit. Coming into Tuesday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies, the trio of Embiid, Maxey and George played just three games together. They had yet to come away with a win in any of those three showings.

The “big 3’s” lack of success together changed on Tuesday. They had their best showing of the season in a 139-136 overtime win over the Grizzlies. Maxey totaled 34 points on 13-of-21 shooting to go with four rebounds, 12 assists and two steals. Embiid nearly recorded a triple-double, finishing with 34 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, one steal and two blocks. George battled through some tough shooting to score 17 points. It was far and away the trio’s best showing together since they were formed in the 2024 offseason.

The Maxey-Embiid two-man game clicked into gear against Memphis, leading to a healthy amount of easy buckets. In addition to their success as a duo, Embiid looked the best he has been physically all season. He attempted a pair of dunks, including an off-the-backboard selfie oop, after not having any dunks yet this season. After playing on a minutes restriction early this season, the Sixers are beginning to let the reigns loose for Embiid. He played a season-high 38 minutes in the win over the Grizzlies. Embiid’s health is always going to be a concern, but he is continuing to take strides towards looking like his old self with each passing game he plays.

The “big 3” kept the Sixers in the game for much of the contest. However, Philadelphia’s third overall pick showed up when it mattered most just as he has all season long. After foul trouble limited him in the first half, Edgecombe exploded in the second half and overtime. He played every minute after halftime, totaling 20 points, six rebounds, two steals and a block in that span.

The 20-year-old Edgecombe carried the Sixers in the latter stages of the game. He began with a highlight-reel block on a Jaylen Wells shot attempt at the rim.

Oh so is VJ gonna take this thing over? pic.twitter.com/qoQJnArSK5

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) December 31, 2025

Edgecombe then turned it up on the other end of the floor. He began raining 3-pointers, knocking down four on his way to scoring 14 points in the final 5:13 of the fourth quarter and overtime period. The rookie capped off his night by drilling the game-winning 3-pointer.

VJ EDGECOMBE GAME-WINNER.

WHAT A CLUTCH SHOT BY THE ROOKIE 🤯 pic.twitter.com/9AhyF5E43B

— NBA (@NBA) December 31, 2025

Success in clutch moments has become the norm for Edgecombe in his rookie season. According to NBA.com, Edgecombe is shooting 17-of-28 (60.7%) from the field and 8-of-13 (61.5%) from 3-point range in clutch situations.

The Sixers’ “big 3” has, needless to say, gotten off to a rough start this season. However, their showing against Memphis is evidence of their continued potential to propel the Sixers towards a deep playoff run. With Edgecombe’s all-around play and success in the clutch also added into the mix, the Sixers are giving fans reason for hope and optimism both in the present and future.