The rivalry between the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics never lacks drama — and this season’s third meeting produced another unforgettable twist. With Joel Embiid sidelined again, few expected Philly to outlast the league-leading Celtics. But behind the hot hand of Justin Edwards, an undrafted local kid who refused to miss, the Sixers shocked Boston 102–100.
A Rivalry Rekindled
The first two games between these teams were instant classics. In the season opener, Philadelphia escaped with a 117–116 win behind a stunning 74-point combined effort from Tyrese Maxey and rookie V.J. Edgecombe. Boston took revenge in the NBA In-Season Tournament, winning 109–108 when Embiid returned for his first appearance since February — only to miss the potential game-winner.
This time, Embiid sat out again to rest his knees. It didn’t matter. The Sixers once more looked faster, freer, and more connected without their MVP center — and that pattern held true all night.
The Emergence of an Unexpected Hero
By halftime, Philadelphia led by 10 points, controlling the tempo while Boston struggled from deep (4-for-21). But everything changed in the third quarter. Jaylen Brown and Derrick White combined for 27 points as the Celtics blitzed the Sixers 36–20, flipping the script and entering the final period up 10.
Philly needed a spark. They got one from an unlikely source.
Justin Edwards, a 21-year-old reserve forward averaging barely 12 minutes a night, refused to miss. In a blistering two-minute stretch, he drilled three consecutive three-pointers, igniting the crowd and swinging momentum back to the Sixers. Boston’s energy deflated instantly.
Rookie V.J. Edgecombe struggled from the field (2-for-11) but made key plays — a block on Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, an assist to Edwards, and a clutch triple of his own with 2:20 left.
In crunch time, Tyrese Maxey went cold, missing two shots and forcing plays — until the final minute, when he deferred to the hot hand. Edwards’ last shot rimmed out, but Kelly Oubre Jr. grabbed the offensive rebound and scored the decisive layup, sealing a thrilling two-point win.
A Perfect Night (Almost)
Edwards missed only once the entire game — finishing with 22 points on 8-of-9 shooting, including 5-of-6 from three and a perfect 1-for-1 from the line.
For a player averaging 11.5 minutes and single-digit scoring, it was a career night.
It wasn’t just the numbers — it was the timing. Every shot mattered, every possession swung momentum. The Sixers bench erupted, the Wells Fargo Center roared, and Edwards, usually calm and stoic, finally let emotion show.
When asked postgame what he shouted after those clutch shots, the forward laughed — before his mother, seated in the press room, interjected: “If he says it out loud, I’ll deal with him at home!”
Edwards grinned: “Let’s just say… something like ‘Let’s go, damn it!’”
From Undrafted to Unstoppable
Edwards’ journey is one of perseverance. Once ranked the No. 3 high-school prospect in the U.S. and a McDonald’s All-American, he joined Kentucky as a future NBA star — but never found rhythm in college, averaging under 10 points and fading from draft boards.
While teammates Reed Sheppard (No. 3 pick) and Rob Dillingham (No. 8) heard their names on draft night, Edwards didn’t. Still, the 76ers offered him a two-way contract, taking a chance on a hometown kid with untapped potential.
That gamble has paid off. Last season, Edwards averaged 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 36.3% from deep in 44 games — many as an emergency starter amid injuries. His play earned him a full NBA deal by midseason.
Now, he’s not just a development project — he’s part of the Sixers’ young core shaping the franchise’s identity beyond Embiid and Paul George.
The New Philadelphia Blueprint
Embiid is once again under medical evaluation for a right-knee issue, while Paul George remains out. In their absence, new faces keep rising.
Just days ago, Trendon Watford notched his first career triple-double (27-17-10) in a win over Toronto. V.J. Edgecombe looks like a Rookie of the Year candidate. And now Justin Edwards has joined the growing list of Philadelphia’s breakout performers.
Coach Nick Nurse’s “next man up” mentality is paying dividends — and it’s the young blood that’s keeping Philly alive in the East.
As Edwards put it after his breakthrough night:
“We all just stay ready. It’s Philly — everyone’s fighting for something.”
Conclusion
Justin Edwards’ rise from undrafted local prospect to clutch-time hero captures the spirit of the 2025/2026 Philadelphia 76ers — resilient, fearless, and unafraid to rewrite expectations.
If this young roster keeps producing moments like this, the Sixers’ future might already be here — and it looks brighter than ever.
