After a blowout loss in Game 1, the Philadelphia 76ers found heroes in their electric backcourt for a huge bounce back in Game 2. V.J. Edgecombe, playing through pain after a hard fall on his back, poured in 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Tyrese Maxey added 29 points and 9 assists to lift Philadelphia past the Boston Celtics, 111-97, and tie their first-round series at 1-1.
Edgecombe Makes Rookie History
Edgecombe knocked down six of the 76ers’ 19 triples en route to becoming the first NBA rookie since Tim Duncan in 1998 to record at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in a playoff game. Twice he limped off to the locker room in visible pain—once in the first quarter, again in the third—but each time returned to keep scoring and help Philadelphia build as much as a 13-point cushion.
“I think we knew where the shots were going to come from,” Edgecombe said. “We kept trusting each other. Everyone can make a play on the court. … They wanted me to shoot the ball.”
Maxey Answers the Call
After struggling in Game 1’s blowout loss, the 76ers needed Maxey to deliver—and he did. His playmaking steadied the offense, and his scoring kept Boston chasing all night. Philadelphia shot 47.8% from the field and 19-for-39 from deep, a stark turnaround from their opener.
“I grab (Edgecombe) and Tyrese together a lot and remind them to be super aggressive,” coach Nick Nurse said. “Fire it up there, like keep shooting no matter what.”
Celtics Falter Late
Boston cut a seven-point deficit to 91-89 early in the fourth, but Philadelphia answered with an 11-0 run to push the lead back to double digits. The Celtics pulled their starters with just over a minute left.
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 36 points, while Jayson Tatum added 19 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists. But the Celtics shot only 39.3% overall and 13-for-47 from three, committing 13 turnovers that led to 16 Philadelphia points.
“I thought Edgecombe was just too comfortable,” Brown admitted. “He’s a rookie, but he can play. We’ve got to be better on him.”
What’s Next
The series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Saturday, with Joel Embiid still sidelined as he continues his recovery from an April 9 appendectomy. The intensity is already high—and if Edgecombe and Maxey keep firing, the 76ers may have found the formula to turn this into a long series.
