VJ Edgecombe introduced himself on the largest stage with a 30-point, 10-rebound masterclass because the Philadelphia 76ers surprised the Boston Celtics 111-97 in Recreation 2 to stage their first-round collection at 1-1.
It was the primary time a rookie had posted these numbers in a playoff sport since Tim Duncan in 1998, and it made Edgecombe the youngest participant in NBA postseason historical past to realize the feat, surpassing Magic Johnson.
The efficiency was all of the extra exceptional given the circumstances. The 76ers entered as 14.5-point underdogs with out Joel Embiid, who continues to get well from an emergency appendectomy, and had been obliterated in Recreation 1.
Boston led 26-13 after a 16-0 first-quarter run and nonetheless lower the deficit to 2 factors within the fourth quarter earlier than Tyrese Maxey ended the competition with back-to-back pull-up threes.
Edgecombe completed 6-of-10 from three, and Maxey added 29 factors, with the pair combining for 59. The 76ers shot 19-of-39 from deep as a group after going 4-of-23 in Recreation 1.
Paul George, who added 19 factors, couldn’t cover his admiration for his younger team-mate.
“When you consider it, how he began his first NBA sport right here on this constructing, and I’m positive he was in a small share, or a small group of gamers that did what he did on opening evening, after which to place a complete season collectively and get thus far the place he’s showcasing who he’s and his talents. I’ve been saying all of it 12 months lengthy: He’s far surpassed being a rookie.”
Edgecombe, when reflecting on the efficiency, added: “We knew the place we have been going to get the photographs from, the place the assistance was going to be at. So simply credit score my teammates for simply, we saved trusting one another. Everybody could make a play on the court docket, so we saved trusting one another and I used to be within the spot and so they wished me to shoot the ball. It wouldn’t have been proper if I didn’t shoot the ball.”
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 36 factors and Tatum posted 19 factors, 14 rebounds and 9 assists, however the Celtics completed 13-of-50 from three. Recreation 3 is Friday evening in Philadelphia.
Lakers take 2-0 lead as Good stifles Durant
The Los Angeles Lakers moved 2-0 up towards the Houston Rockets with a 101-94 victory, a sport outlined by Marcus Good’s all-round brilliance on the returning Kevin Durant.
Durant, who had missed Recreation 1 with a proper knee damage, scored 23 factors on his return however struggled with 9 turnovers – a playoff profession worst – and went 1-of-3 with three turnovers throughout the 18 possessions by which Good was his major defender.
Good completed with 25 factors on 8-of-13 capturing, together with 5 three-pointers, and grabbed 5 steals.
LeBron James led the Lakers with 28 factors, eight rebounds and 7 assists, and was unstinting in his reward of Good’s impression, each on this sport and on the group as a complete.
“He’s not afraid of the second. He’s all the time been assigned a few of the greatest gamers which have ever performed this sport in his profession. So, to have somebody like that, it simply brings numerous composure to our group. Particularly after we’re lacking – I hate to beat a useless horse, but it surely’s two huge horses – with AR [Austin Reaves] and Luka [Doncic] out. So, to have that, it means lots to our ballclub.”
Luke Kennard added 23 factors after his 27 in Recreation 1. Houston lower a 15-point deficit to 5 with underneath three minutes left earlier than Good hit a fifth three of the evening to settle the end result.
Wembanyama enters concussion protocol
The most important concern of the evening got here in San Antonio, the place Victor Wembanyama was taken out of Recreation 2 within the second quarter after a tough fall whereas driving to the basket, with Jrue Vacation defending. The Spurs confirmed he had entered concussion protocol and wouldn’t return.
Portland Path Blazers took full benefit of his absence. Scoot Henderson posted a playoff career-high 31 factors to guide the Blazers to a 106-103 comeback win, erasing a 14-point deficit to stage the collection at 1-1.
