This 76 -rookie proves to be the missing piece you were looking for

On January 14, the Philadelphia 76ers joined the top seed Oklahoma City Thunder without eight player-daruners Joel Embbiid, Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and Jared McCain. Someone had to pick up the gap for the exhausted 76 and not set Free Agent Justin Edwards-Genau-a career high of 25 points at 9-16 shoot from the field, six rebounds and four assists with a noble 118-102 loss.

This performance was noticeable in the eyes of the Philadelphia fans and his front office alike when Edwards’ two-way contract was converted into a standard NBA deal for the rest of the season less than a month later. Since then, Edwards has been in the rotation of the 76 – starting in 18 of their 27 games since his breakout game against thunder.

Justin Edwards increases to success

However, Edwards were caught in the wave of injuries that Philadelphia’s squad had broken down in the coming weeks. Between the 20th and 4th March, Edwards missed four of the seven games of the 76s due to a left -wing sprain that temporarily stopped the dynamics he won. When Edwards fully returned on March 6, he shot less than 35% of the field in this route in three of the four games in Philadelphia.

Between his persistent injury and the inevitable cold routes that many newbies endure, Edwards tried to consistently impose his will, but he promptly opened up the flame that triggered his ascent.

Justin Edwards is here to stay

In his last three games, Edwards scored an average of 20.7 points per game at 53.5 shooting from the field and 47.6 shooting beyond the arch. Tonight he combined his career high with 25 points to 75.1% true shooting and five rebounds in the defeat of Philadelphia against the defeats from 128 to 120 against the San Antonio Spurs. Edwards is one of seven Neulingen-Darunter Jared McCain- to record several 25-point appearances this season.

Edwards plays the best basketball of his youthful career, since he not only makes an influence as a “3 & d” fing, but also shows the ability to score from all three levels. Edwards managed to smoke defenders from dribbling, either to end on the edge or to pull the middle-range the skills that fell his design and caused him not to be paid for.

As with all newcomers, Edwards still has areas that he has to improve, e.g. B. the selection of shots, playing and defense positioning. All of these facets will improve over time, and as soon as you do this, Edwards is determined as one of the most impressive two-way wings of the NBA. He has a $ 2 million option for the 2025-26 season and it is a child’s play for the 76s to accept them.