Tyrese McKay – VJ Edgecombe, the dual hero of the Sixers

If you were looking for a rollercoaster of emotions before the weekend, we can only recommend the last quarter of the match on the Thursday in between Sixers and the Warriors.

The meeting seemed to be without problems after a good half hour of play, Philadelphia overtook. But after blowing a 24-point lead, the Pennsylvania franchise needed a few small miracles to escape alive from the trap set by Golden State’s bench. Philadelphia owes this success to its star Tyrese McKay and his new great hope VJ Edgecombeboth decisive in the last seconds of the match.

A lot can happen in a basketball game in just ten seconds. And this match is striking proof of that. Philadelphia trailed by one point with 11.2 seconds left, with the ball in the hands of the Warriors for a layup. Those seconds ended up lasting several minutes. And Philly can welcome not one but two heroes, as Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe contribute to this gripping tale.

VJ Edgecombe’s efforts paid off

The rookie from the Bahamas is perhaps the first hero of the evening, despite another discreet play in the attack (10 points on only eight attempts, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 turnovers). His crucial interception with 8.2 seconds left gave the Sixers a chance to keep believing that. Then his offensive jump with only nine tenths on the clock brought victory to the home team. ” This is my first basket to win » he laughed right after the buzzer.

But, he especially praised the last action of his friend from the back line, who after a thunderous return went to parry the last attempt of DeAnthony Melton, who predicted a throw-in towards the circle of Philadelphia. ” Tyrese did a great job blocking the shot because it was an open layup.” he greeted at the press conference. “He probably ran down the field in 4.2 seconds or something (a reference to the 40-yard dash, a running drill performed primarily in the NFL, the record is held by sprinter Christian Coleman at 4.12 seconds) and caught it. Credit goes to Tyrese. He blocked this kick. He blocked this kick with probably the best block.” »

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Tyrese McKay wasn’t going to let De’Anthony Melton win

For Tyrese Maxey, this latest action was important in more ways than one. It was the conclusion of what up to that point had been another very good individual performance (35 points on 13/27, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals), but one that could have ended in an extremely frustrating loss.

On top of everything, he flew into the counter De’Anthony Meltonone of his close friends from his stint in Philly between 2022 and 2024 … and who had just blocked him moments earlier on his attempt to take the game-winning shot. ” Honestly, I didn’t want him to call me in a few minutes to tell me he beat us » laughed the All-Star leader of the 76ers.

« I’m just happy for him » he added. ” Yesterday he was with me for two or three hours, talking about everything and nothing. I’m just glad to see him here, he’s got a smile. I told him that I would give him a chance because he was struggling at the beginning of the match. I gave him a mid-range shot, but I was happy he was on the floor. It was nice to see him and I told him he couldn’t defend himself against me so it was all right. »

Edgecombe Tap Dance, “Great Action”

In giving the nod to his opponent for the evening, Tirese Mackey returned to VJ Edgecombe, for whom there is no shortage of compliments. ” It was an incredible action » he said about his teammate’s step dance. ” He made an incredible gesture. To be there, follow the shot and return the ball to the circle, it was a great action. » « I tried to take the jump without falling » deciphered the newcomer. ” I did a good job of not doing that and got back to my feet. The fate of the game was at stake, you have to go for the offensive rebound, there is no other choice. It is mandatory. »

“He just does so many things like that.” Tyrese Maxey insisted. ” We know he can score, pass the ball, but he does things that don’t show up on the scoreboard all the time. He plays hard. It will get an extra bounce. He will pass the ball to a teammate or rebound the ball. We like him because he does things like this. We know who he is as a person, and as a player. So he will continue to do all that and work on it. »

Sans Paul Georgeis still recovering, and with a Joel Embiid far beyond his capabilities (12 points on 5/13, three turnovers in 26 minutes Thursday), Philly’s future now runs through its Maxi-Edgcomb pairing.