The Philadelphia 76ers swung momentum back in their favor to end their five-game road trip, winning their third straight game on Saturday after losing the first two contests of the trip.
The most recent
saw the Sixers take down the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden 130-119 on Saturday evening on the backs of impressive performances from a number of players on the squad. Here, we’re going to look at those of rookie VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.
If you’re looking for a full game recap, you can check out ours here. For Bell Ringer, head here.
Here, let’s watch some of the best performances of the night from the Sixers.
VJ Edgecombe
I think we have all run out of clever ways to say “wow, this kid is good at basketball.”
VJ Edgecombe had Jalen Brunson and the Knicks in hell most of this game on both ends of the floor. New York had no answer to his silky-smooth triples (of which he had four) nor his aggressive, efficient drives right to the rim. It didn’t matter who was in front of him, the rookie muscled through the likes of Karl Anthony-Towns on his way to finishing buckets, even through contact. He also continues to show off some impressive defense on experienced NBA stars, with him doing a damn fine job in his stints slowing down Brunson on Saturday. That’s no small task for a 20-year-old in his first season as a pro. None of it is a small task, but it doesn’t seem to be intimidating Edgecombe in the least.
Wow, this kid is good at basketball.
Tyrese Maxey
Tyrese Maxey somehow just keeps looking better and better. With more consistent help around him spacing the floor as of late, Maxey has really been given more opportunities to thrive. Whether it’s working the two-man game with Joel Embiid, driving straight through opposing defenses to finish at the rim (often through contact) or hitting triples from any range or angle, Maxey has continued to look like a top NBA star offensively. He was incredibly efficient shooting on Saturday, hitting 10-for-16 field goal attempts and 6-for-9 on threes.
Not only that, though, but his defense has improved immensely over the last season or so, with Maxey now putting up big blocks or reading plays as they develop to intercept passes for quick transition buckets.
The most amazing thing is that a game like this for Maxey, even against the Knicks at MSG, feels like just another day watching him. What a player.
Joel Embiid
It’s nice to see Joel Embiid moving so comfortably, especially considering this was his third game in five nights. Much to the chagrin of the MSG crowd that seemed to loudly boo every time Embiid touched the ball in the beginning, the big fella had himself a great night. He looked quick and fluid moving on and off the ball, was able to physically battle for buckets and boards in the paint, set up some huge screens for his teammates and had a few stellar passes. It was an extremely efficient night for Embiid as well, shooting 9-for-15 from the floor and 8-for-12 from the line. Speaking of the foul line, Embiid also had some great success early baiting Mitchell Robinson into fouls, sending him to the bench for a lot of the first half in foul trouble.
And, he had his first dunk of the season at the end of the game just to add a cherry on top.
This is the best version of Embiid a Sixers fan can ask for at this point. He didn’t need to completely put the game on his back. He didn’t force things and do too much to the point of inefficiency or even hurting himself. It seems like Embiid is truly finding the ways to work with the situation he is in health-wise, and is contributing a hell of a lot doing so.
Who impressed you the most in the Sixers’ win over the Knicks? Let us know in the comments!
