Rookie VJ Edgecombe scored a career-high 38 points and dished out 11 assists to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 139-118 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday at Golden 1 Center. Justin Edwards added 32 points, hitting seven 3-pointers, as Philadelphia ended a five-game road losing streak.
Quentin Grimes contributed 27 points, helping the 76ers win for the fourth time in six games without stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Embiid has been sidelined with a strained right oblique and Maxey with a finger injury, though coach Nick Nurse noted progress from Embiid.
Philadelphia shot 50% from the field and 47% from three, while Sacramento converted just 38% of its long-range attempts. Maxime Raynaud led the Kings with 30 points, Daeqwon Plowden added 20, and Dylan Cardwell grabbed 14 rebounds in the loss.
The 76ers took control with 3:08 remaining in the second quarter, going into halftime up 71-62. Grimes scored 20 points in the first half as Philadelphia established a lead it never relinquished.
Philadelphia extended the margin to 114-91 in the fourth quarter during a 16-2 run fueled by Edgecombe and Edwards. The 76ers dominated on both ends, finishing with 49 rebounds, 32 assists, and 17 steals while forcing Sacramento into 14 turnovers.
Sacramento briefly threatened early in the second quarter, but Malik Monk left the game with a right shoulder injury and did not return. The Kings dropped their third game in five contests, struggling to match the 76ers’ shooting and pace.
Philadelphia will travel to Utah on Saturday for their next game, while Sacramento hosts Brooklyn on Sunday.
