The Golden State Warriors were on the verge of an improbable comeback win against the Philadelphia 76ers while down their top three players. Then VJ Edgecombe got involved.
Down 98-97 after blowing a lead that maxed out at 24 points, the Sixers rookie saved the game with a putback lay-up after catching a blocked fadeaway from Tyrese Maxey. The game wasn’t over, though, as Golden State quickly inbounded the ball with 0.9 seconds left and had DeAnthony Melton free on a breakaway.
Maxey recovered quickly enough to reach the paint and block a would-be buzzer-beater.
Edgecombe finished the game with 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting, plus 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks and 5 turnovers. Maxey led all scorers, by far, with 35 points on 13-of-27 shooting.
The putback was another highlight in what has been a standout rookie season for Edgecombe. The third overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft began his campaign with a record and still ranks fourth among rookies at 14.4 points per game. His 4.2 assists per game ranks first.
The Warriors entered the fourth quarter down 80-66. Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler were both out for the game, and Draymond Green joined them in the second quarter when he limped to the locker room with a foot injury. He was later ruled out for the rest of the game.
Green finished with three points on 1-of-3 shooting and three rebounds in nine minutes.
Without the three veterans they built their team around, the Warriors turned to Pat Spencer. And Buddy Hield. And Melton. And Quinten Post. And quite a few others. This is the second straight game the team nearly pulled off a shocking comeback after losing an All-Star, and that perhaps count for something with the team still in play-in territory with an 11-12 record.
The severity of Green’s injury is unknown. It’s quite possible the decision to rule him out was entirely precautionary with the team down 22 points at halftime, but it still underscores Golden State’s current struggles to stay healthy.
Curry missed his third straight game Thursday with a quad injury and is guaranteed to miss at least two more. Butler exited Wednesday’s game with a knee injury and was questionable for Thursday before being ruled out. The Warriors bet their 2025-26 season on the trio of Curry, Green and Butler, all of them 35 years or older. It might not be a surprise they’re now encountering injury issues.
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