76ers Guard Makes NBA History In Season-Opener Vs. Celtics

The Boston Celtics dropped their 2025-26 season-opener at home vs. the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night, 117-116.

Boston led by as many as 13 points in the fourth quarter but was dominated by the Sixers’ guard combo of one-time All-Star Tyrese Maxey and rookie No. 3 overall pick V.J. Edgecombe.

The latter finished with 34 points, seven rebounds and three assists on 13-for-26 shooting, including 5-for-13 on three-pointers.

Edgecombe made NBA history in the process.

“With 34 points tonight, 76ers G VJ Edgecombe scored the third most for a player in their career debut and the MOST SINCE Wilt Chamberlain in 1959 🤯,” the official NBA Bluesky account posted following the game. “🔥 Wilt Chamberlain: 43 PTS (Oct. 24, 1959) 🔥 Frank Selvy: 35 PTS (Nov. 30, 1954) 🔥 VJ Edgecombe: 34 PTS in 2025 (tonight).”

“Most points by a rookie in first game (21st century) Paolo Banchero: 27 Chris Duarte: 27 PJ Washington: 27 Gordan Giricek: 29 VJ Edgecombe: 34,” HoopsHype added on Bluesky.

The Athletic posted on Bluesky about Edgecombe’s masterpiece as well, noting that the Baylor product joined Hall-of-Famer Allen Iverson as only the second rookie in franchise history to score at least 30 points in their career debut.

The Celtics will begin a three-game road trip on Friday against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden before trying for their first home win of the year again on Oct. 29 vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers.