VJ Edgecombe’s OT Dagger Lifts Sixers Past Memphis, 139–136
The Philadelphia 76ers didn’t just end a losing skid Tuesday night in Memphis—they answered a bigger question. In a game that swung on nerve, reads, and trust, VJ Edgecombe buried a 25-footer with 1.7 seconds left in overtime to seal a 139–136 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. The rookie got the headline, but the story underneath it mattered just as much: the Big 3 finally broke through, combining for 85 points in their first win together.
A Night That Refused to Calm Down
This one never settled. Both teams shot efficiently early, traded runs, and kept the crowd alive well into the fourth. Memphis leaned on Ja Morant to manufacture chaos, while Philadelphia countered with pace, spacing, and a steady diet of paint pressure. By the time regulation closed, it felt inevitable that something dramatic would decide it—because neither side could put the other away.
Ja Morant Turns It Up Late
Morant did what stars do when the building needs oxygen. He scored at will late, tied the game with 18 seconds left in overtime, and forced the Sixers to execute under the brightest possible spotlight. That’s where this game pivoted—from highlight to homework. The Sixers didn’t panic. They trusted the plan.
The Possession That Told the Truth
Out of the timeout, the Sixers inbounded at half court and put the ball in Tyrese Maxey’s hands. Maxey wound the clock, attacked downhill, and drew two defenders—exactly what Memphis wanted to stop. Instead of forcing a hero shot, Maxey made the right read and kicked to Edgecombe. No hesitation. Clean release. Splash. Rookie moment, veteran decision.
VJ Edgecombe, With the Dagger!
Edgecombe finished with 25 points, carried stretches of the fourth quarter, and authored the moment that will live on loop. He battled foul trouble early, stayed composed, and punished coverage late. The shot wasn’t just brave—it was earned. When teams blitz your primary creator, someone has to be ready to punish the help. Edgecombe was ready.
The Big 3 Finally Break Through
For weeks, the question lingered: How good is this when all three are on the floor? On this night, Joel Embiid and Maxey each poured in 34, while Paul George added 17. That’s 85 combined, and—more importantly—their first win together. The numbers mattered, but the rhythm mattered more. The offense had direction. The late-game reads were decisive. The trust was visible.
Execution Over Excuses
Philadelphia didn’t have a perfect night. There were defensive lapses, momentum swings, and moments where Memphis threatened to rip control away. But when it mattered, the Sixers executed. They valued possessions, made the extra pass, and accepted the shot the defense gave them. That’s the difference between a highlight loss and a road win.
Why This One Matters
This wasn’t just a box-score victory. Earlier in the day on the podcast, I said this was a game where the Sixers needed a supreme effort—and to their credit, they delivered it. They snapped a three-game slide on the road, put up 139 points, and saw the Big 3 combine for 85, with Embiid and Maxey pouring in 34 apiece and Paul George adding 17. The ball moved (33 assists), the Sixers protected it (just 9 turnovers to Memphis’ 20), and they turned that pressure into 14 steals. And yet, this game was still hanging by a thread. Memphis shot 55% from the field, won the rebounding battle 51–41, dominated the paint 70–60, and led for 62% of the night. That’s the concern. Even with a signature offensive performance and Maxey orchestrating late, the defensive lapses nearly cost them. This game showed a path forward—Maxey as the engine, Embiid as the gravity, George as the connector, and a fearless rookie spacing the floor—but it also showed how thin the margin is if the defense doesn’t tighten up when it matters most.
What’s Next
The road trip continues, and the margin for error stays thin. But nights like this travel well. When the game tightens and defenses overreact, the Sixers now know who they are—and who they trust—with everything on the line.
Watch the full overtime sequence and VJ Edgecombe’s game-winner in the embedded video below. If you’re new here, subscribe to the RTDB Newsletter for smart Sixers breakdowns and hit the Ring The Damn Bell podcast for the unfiltered version.
