Justin Edwards Brings Spark to Sixers as Team Beats Celtics in Dramatic Comeback
In a game that was expected to be a high-scoring affair, the Philadelphia 76ers' defense stole the show, leading their team to a 102-100 win over the Boston Celtics. The victory marked the Sixers' first true defensive battle of the season, and it was thanks in large part to the heroics of Justin Edwards.
With Joel Embiid sidelined due to right knee soreness, the Sixers were looking to bounce back from another putrid third quarter. However, they erased a nine-point Celtics lead with Edwards making some incredible plays down the stretch. The 6-foot-5 forward hit three straight threes in the fourth quarter, shifting the momentum midway through the quarter.
Edwards' performance was a welcome sight for coach Nick Nurse, who had been vocal about the need for his young player to stay patient and confident despite struggling early in the season. Edwards has been given another chance in the rotation, and he seized it, demonstrating the quick decision-making and feel for the game that Nurse has always praised.
On the injury front, Embiid was ruled out due to knee soreness, which raised concerns about his availability moving forward. However, nurse seemed cautiously optimistic, stating that an update will come shortly after Embiid's meeting with doctors on Thursday evening. Paul George also met with doctors over the weekend to determine his next steps, but at least one more meeting is required before he gets official clearance.
In other news, Dominick Barlow was seen performing basketball activities, and Nurse stated that it should be "fairly soon" for him to return to action. Meanwhile, Jared McCain continued to struggle with staying balanced due to a bulky brace on his surgically repaired knee.
The Sixers will have two days off before returning to action on Friday night against the Detroit Pistons in a battle that's part of NBA Cup Group Play.
In a game that was expected to be a high-scoring affair, the Philadelphia 76ers' defense stole the show, leading their team to a 102-100 win over the Boston Celtics. The victory marked the Sixers' first true defensive battle of the season, and it was thanks in large part to the heroics of Justin Edwards.
With Joel Embiid sidelined due to right knee soreness, the Sixers were looking to bounce back from another putrid third quarter. However, they erased a nine-point Celtics lead with Edwards making some incredible plays down the stretch. The 6-foot-5 forward hit three straight threes in the fourth quarter, shifting the momentum midway through the quarter.
Edwards' performance was a welcome sight for coach Nick Nurse, who had been vocal about the need for his young player to stay patient and confident despite struggling early in the season. Edwards has been given another chance in the rotation, and he seized it, demonstrating the quick decision-making and feel for the game that Nurse has always praised.
On the injury front, Embiid was ruled out due to knee soreness, which raised concerns about his availability moving forward. However, nurse seemed cautiously optimistic, stating that an update will come shortly after Embiid's meeting with doctors on Thursday evening. Paul George also met with doctors over the weekend to determine his next steps, but at least one more meeting is required before he gets official clearance.
In other news, Dominick Barlow was seen performing basketball activities, and Nurse stated that it should be "fairly soon" for him to return to action. Meanwhile, Jared McCain continued to struggle with staying balanced due to a bulky brace on his surgically repaired knee.
The Sixers will have two days off before returning to action on Friday night against the Detroit Pistons in a battle that's part of NBA Cup Group Play.