Edgecombe’s Ice-Cold Three Lifts Sixers Past Grizzlies in Overtime Thriller

The Philadelphia 76ers walked into Memphis on Tuesday night needing resilience, and they left with one of their most stirring victories of the season. In a game that swung wildly from quarter to quarter, it was rookie VJ Edgecombe who delivered the final blow, draining a contested three-pointer in overtime to silence the FedExForum.

Edgecombe’s late heroics capped a personal breakout performance. The former Baylor standout finished with 25 points, including a clutch triple in the final moments of regulation that forced the extra session and kept the Sixers alive when defeat seemed imminent.

Philadelphia’s veterans were just as influential. Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid each poured in 34 points, anchoring an offense that stayed composed despite Memphis’ relentless pace and crowd-driven momentum.

On the other side, Ja Morant was spectacular, erupting for 40 points and repeatedly slicing through the Sixers’ defense. Yet when the game came down to its final possession, it was the rookie who owned the moment.

1. A Chaotic Final Possession

The decisive play began with confusion. After a brief delay to sort out the inbound spot, Maxey was initially unable to trigger the action from Philadelphia’s side of midcourt, forcing the Sixers to regroup while the Grizzlies reshuffled their coverage. Once play resumed, Memphis applied immediate pressure, attempting to smother the ball and deny Maxey a driving lane. The defense collapsed inward, daring Philadelphia to find a shooter on the perimeter. The ball swung quickly around the arc, landing in Edgecombe’s hands with just enough space to operate. Without hesitating, he rose into his shooting motion as the clock bled away. The shot dropped cleanly through the net with 1.7 seconds remaining, a calm answer to a chaotic sequence that defined the night and delivered Philadelphia a narrow but emphatic lead.

2. A Rookie Unfazed by the Moment

Edgecombe later admitted that the timing of the play was not exactly how he envisioned it unfolding. He had been ready to attack earlier in the sequence, only to see the possession reset before the ball found him. “That’s all that matters,” he said afterward, noting that the make overshadowed the imperfect execution. The comment captured both the relief and the confidence that have begun to shape his rookie season. The play was not a fluke. Edgecombe had already demonstrated his nerve by knocking down a late three in regulation, answering Memphis’ surge and forcing overtime when the Grizzlies appeared poised to close the door. For a player still learning the rhythms of the NBA, his willingness to take — and make — the biggest shots on the floor suggests a maturity beyond his years.

3. A Win That Signals Growth

Road victories are rarely clean, and this one was anything but. Yet the Sixers’ ability to absorb Memphis’ repeated runs — and to respond with poise — spoke to a team finding its late-game identity. Edgecombe’s emergence in crunch time adds a new layer to that identity. Opponents now must account not only for Embiid’s dominance and Maxey’s speed, but also for a rookie who has shown he can thrive under the brightest lights. For Memphis, the loss was a bitter one. Morant’s 40-point effort deserved a better outcome, but defensive lapses in the closing minutes left the Grizzlies vulnerable when it mattered most. Philadelphia will not soon forget the sight of Edgecombe’s shot floating through the air, a reminder that the future can arrive suddenly — and sometimes with the game on the line.