VJ Edgecombe recorded a 30-point, 10-rebound performance to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 111-97 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series, tying the series at 1-1.
Edgecombe, a rookie guard, became the first NBA rookie since Tim Duncan in 1998 to post a 30-point, 10-rebound game in the postseason and the youngest player ever to achieve the feat, surpassing Magic Johnson’s previous record. His performance came after a difficult start to the series, during which the 76ers lost Game 1 by 32 points without injured star Joel Embiid and with Tyrese Maxey appearing hesitant.
Maxey contributed 29 points and nine assists, while Paul George added 19 points. The 76ers overcame a 16-0 Celtics run to open the game and a late fourth-quarter surge that brought Boston within two points at 91-89, ultimately pulling away with superior three-point shooting — making 19 of 39 attempts compared to Boston’s 13 of 50.
Sixers coach Nick Nurse acknowledged the team’s poor start in Game 1, saying, “We got our butts kicked,” and admitted they needed to improve across multiple areas. Maxey echoed that sentiment, stating the Celtics made the first game “too easy” and vowing to build future contests more uncomfortable for Boston.
Meanwhile, in other Tuesday playoff action, the Portland Trail Blazers stole home-court advantage in their series with the San Antonio Spurs, winning 106-103 after Spurs star Victor Wembanyama exited midgame with a concussion. Scoot Henderson led Portland with 31 points and five three-pointers.
In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers took a 2-0 series lead over the Houston Rockets with a 101-94 victory, powered by 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists from LeBron James. The Lakers held Kevin Durant to just one point in the second half after he scored 20 in the first, employing multiple defenders including James and Marcus Smart to limit his impact.
The Lakers shot 46% compared to the Rockets’ 38% despite Houston taking 16 more shots (84 to 68), highlighting the physical, grind-it-out nature of the matchup. Grant Hill noted the increased physicality, saying, “You see extra effort, bodies on the floor,” and emphasized that “every game matters” in playoff basketball.
With the 76ers and Trail Blazers both evening their respective series, the Lakers are the only team among Tuesday’s winners to hold a 2-0 lead. All four series are set to resume on Friday with a tripleheader on Prime Video: Celtics at 76ers (7 p.m. ET), Lakers at Rockets (8 p.m. ET), and Spurs at Trail Blazers (10:30 p.m. ET).
How did VJ Edgecombe’s performance compare to his earlier season debut?
Edgecombe’s 30-point, 10-rebound outing in Game 2 mirrored his strong start to the season, when he scored 34 points in the 76ers’ opening-night win over the Celtics in October — the third-highest scoring debut by a rookie in franchise history.
What defensive strategy did the Lakers use to limit Kevin Durant in Game 2?
The Lakers deployed multiple defenders, including LeBron James and Marcus Smart, to contest Durant’s shots, holding him to just one point in the second half after he scored 20 in the first.
