The Philadelphia 76ers saw their season come to an end Sunday after being swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Despite the disappointing finish, rookie VJ Edgecombe remains one of the biggest reasons for optimism moving forward.
According to Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports, Edgecombe reflected on the challenges he faced during the postseason and admitted playoff defenses forced him to adjust offensively.
“Playing against the Celtics to now against New York, it was tricky. I was guarded differently,” Edgecombe said on Sunday. “I’m gonna take some time, look back at it after a couple of weeks or so.”
Edgecombe also made it clear that improving his outside shooting and offensive consistency will be a major focus during the offseason.
“I refuse for, coming into next year, a team won’t ever leave me open. Even during the regular season, I was shooting the ball pretty well, and the playoffs come, and it’s just a different vibe, you know?
“Intensity’s higher, closeouts are a lot quicker, but I’m going to go in, and I’m gonna work. I’m gonna work. I’m gonna work.”
The rookie guard added that his goal is to ease some of the offensive pressure on Tyrese Maxey and the rest of the roster moving forward.
“I’m going to do whatever I got to do to get better, make life easier for [Tyrese Maxey] and the rest of my teammates, take some of the pressure off some of the load offensively off of them.”
Edgecombe also emphasized continuing to improve defensively and developing into a player capable of guarding multiple matchups.
“Defensively, I’m gonna keep getting better, keep learning. For the rest of my career, I want to go out and say I can go guard whoever I have to go guard,” Edgecombe said.
“I’m just excited to see how this offseason is gonna look for me, and next year I’m coming back better, stronger, faster, more athletic, whatever I gotta do.”
Sixers Notes: Edgecombe, Maxey, Offseason https://t.co/g6FpExgFyI
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) May 11, 2026
