VJ Edgecombe was ready to roll for his summer league debut.
The No. 3 overall pick was outstanding Saturday night in the Sixers’ opening game at the Salt Lake City summer league, a 93-89 loss to the Jazz.
He posted 28 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal.
Kyle Filipowski led Utah with 22 points. No. 5 pick Ace Bailey had seven points on 3-for-13 shooting and seven rebounds.
Sixers rookie two-way contract player Hunter Sallis sat with a sprained ankle and is day to day, according to The Athletic’s Tony Jones.
The summer Sixers will face the Thunder on Monday night. Here are observations on their opener:
Broome-Bona frontcourt
Adem Bona threw home the night’s first hoop with an emphatic dunk out of the pick-and-roll. Next time down, rookie Johni Broome sunk a pick-and-pop three-pointer assisted by Edgecombe.
Both Broome and Bona were looking forward to playing in a double-big lineup.
“He’s a great teammate,” Broome said Wednesday of Bona at the Sixers’ summer league minicamp. “He talks, he leads by example, he’s a willing worker. He’s going to put the extra work in. Super athletic, super bouncy. It’s going to be really fun to play with him.”
The Sixers later used Broome at center with Bona on the bench.
Broome’s lack of vertical pop was evident on a few occasions. Adama Sanogo swatted one of his layups. However, the 22-year-old showed his physical strength and knowhow inside. Broome recognized his chances to get deep catches and score on smaller players, tallied three offensive rebounds and drew five free throws (3 for 5). He finished with 13 points in 24 minutes.
Bona played with his typical energy and explosiveness in a 16-point, eight-rebound outing.
Edgecombe dangerous in transition
The Sixers’ starting five was Jalen Hood-Schifino, Edgecombe, Justin Edwards, Broome and Bona.
Hood-Schifino served as the starting point guard and Edgecombe received plenty of on-ball reps in the second half. Just about every perimeter player brought the ball up at times in the Sixers’ transition-heavy offense.
Edgecombe thrived in the open floor. He scored his first basket on a tricky scoop shot that evaded Jazz big man Filipowski. The Baylor product added another fast-break highlight in the second quarter when he grabbed a defensive rebound and then glided past everyone on his way to a coast-to-coast slam.
Though he didn’t have a good long-distance shooting night (1 for 7 from three-point range), Edgecombe swished a fluid baseline pull-up jumper late in the first quarter and generally appeared quite comfortable in the mid-range. He had no hesitation about firing up open shots both off the catch and off the dribble.
Edgecombe’s work on the boards was also a bright spot. He displayed the traits that made him a strong guard rebounder in college and, thanks largely to hustle and athleticism, wound up leading the Sixers in that category.
Sixers’ effort not an issue
The Sixers struggled to run productive half-court offense and shot 4 for 22 beyond the arc. Edwards began 2 for 10 from the floor. Mark Armstrong went 0 for 7.
Despite those shooting woes, the Sixers scrapped back into the game late in the third quarter. Backup point guard Judah Mintz played some pesky defense and was the Sixers’ best bench player. Edgecombe dished to Bona for a dunk that tied the contest up at 66-all early in the fourth.
While effort level tends to understandably fluctuate at summer league, Edgecombe’s approach sure wasn’t casual. Seconds after a chase-down block on former Sixers first-round pick Jaden Springer, Edgecombe converted an and-one layup.
Utah’s execution was ultimately a bit better down the stretch.
Edwards stepped on the sideline with 12.9 seconds left, Edgecombe missed a tightly contested, game-tying jumper attempt, and the Jazz notched a home win.
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