Following an impressive win over the Los Angeles Clippers, the Sixers traveled up to San Francisco for a matchup against the Warriors. Unfortunately, this game would lack the star power this matchup would normally feature, as Joel Embiid, Paul George, Steph Curry, and Jimmy Butler were all absent. Still, Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe put on a show, leading his squad to a 113-94 win, the team's fifth straight.
The Sixers spent the first two quarters in a battle of runs with the Warriors countering every punch Philadelphia threw their way. Throughout the first half, the Sixers and Warriors continued their back-and-forth, but one key factor separated the two squads, something that has historically been a struggle for Philadelphia.
Even without Joel Embiid and Paul George, the Sixers dominated the rebounding battle, especially on the offensive boards. Thanks to a true team effort led by Andre Drummond, Dominick Barlow and Adem Bona, Philadelphia outrebounded Golden State 56-33, and an impressive difference of 25-8 on the offensive boards.
As the Sixers did against the Clippers the night before, something they have historically struggled with, they did not overlook their opponent or rely on habitual tendencies to flip a supposed switch in late-game situations.
In the third quarter, which has been brutal for the Sixers this season, Philadelphia's relentless hustle began to pay dividends, separating them from their opponent and holding them to just 16 points.
Just as consistent as the Sixers' energy was the scoring performance of young guard VJ Edgecombe, who led all scorers with 25 points, adding seven rebounds and seven assists to his impressive evening. Edgecombe has been at times overshadowed by fellow rookies Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, but at every turn, Edgecombe continues to prove the perfect fit in Philadelphia.
His electric play on both ends, his versatility, which his teammates have likened to that of a Swiss Army knife, and Edgecombe have been among the biggest pleasant surprises in Philadelphia during a season that has seen more than the franchise is used to.
That type of energy is what Tyrese Maxey has worked diligently to instill in the team, and to the credit of president of basketball operations, Daryl Morey and head coach Nick Nurse, the franchise has filled out the roster with many like-minded players. Kelly Oubre, Justin Edwards, Dominick Barlow, and then there's second-year center Adem Bona, who was a human highlight reel in this game.
Bona's unmatched motor was on full display yet again, helping the Sixers to separate themselves in this matchup. In matchups like these, in which Bona is able to keep his foul-tending tendencies in check, it's easy to see how he could remain a crucial member of the team's depth.
Philadelphia next heads back down to LA for a matchup against Luka Doncic, LeBron James and the Lakers. Joel Embiid is expected to return for this matchup, but there remains some uncertainty about which Sixers will take the court a few hours before the NBA's trade deadline, meaning one or more Sixers could be on the move by the 10 p.m. EST tip-off.
