Sixers two-way rookie wing Justin Edwards is emerging for a team in need of silver linings, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes. The Philadelphia native scored 25 points on four three-pointers made, along with six rebounds and four assists on Tuesday against the Thunder.
Edwards’ role increased with eight players out for Philadelphia, leading to a career high in minutes played.
“I think he’s really, really improving,” head coach Nick Nurse said. “Again, he gives a really good effort on the defensive end. He’s capable of guarding lots of positions defensively, and he’s got a good feel offensively. Again, the ball finds him because he’s moving to the right place at the right time. I thought he took a good number of threes that were there.”
According to Pompey, Edwards credited the G League with his development this season. Edwards has appeared in 17 games for the Delaware Blue Coats this season, averaging 18.5 points per game on .474/.381/.880 shooting in the NBAGL. He didn’t play much at the NBA level to open the season, but has logged at least 12 minutes in six of the Sixers’ past seven games, averaging 9.7 PPG on 55.0% shooting during that stretch.
The Sixers signed Edwards to a two-way deal after he went undrafted in 2024. Like fellow two-way players Pete Nance and Jeff Dowtin, he’s on a one-year contract and will be eligible for restricted free agency at season’s end.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- After losing four straight games and seven of their last nine, the Sixers and Paul George aren’t giving up on what has been a disappointing season, Pompey writes in another story. George says he sees a light at the end of the tunnel with 43 games left in the season. Nurse expressed a similar sentiment, issuing a reminder that the Sixers’ big three of George, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey have only played 10 games together — the club is 7-3 in those games.
- The Celtics are facing a tough stretch this month despite owning the NBA’s third-best record at 28-12. The defending champions have mostly downplayed their recent struggles, according to Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe, but Himmelsbach says there was “a new, ominous air of frustration and urgency” following double-digit Wednesday loss to the 10-win Raptors on Wednesday. The Celtics have three losses – all by at least 13 points – in their last five games, eking out a one-point victory over the 10-win Pelicans during that stretch.
- Josh Hart continues to prove he’s one of the league’s elite role players, averaging 14.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 56.6% from the field and 36.9% from three. As James L. Edwards III of The Athletic observes, that stat line has never been accomplished by a player 6’8″ or shorter, which would make Hart the first if his statistics hold. In fact, the only players in league history to reach those minimum averages in a season are Embiid, Nikola Jokic and Larry Bird.
- The Nets are exactly where they need to be in their rebuild, opines Anthony Puccio of NetsDaily. While their Wednesday 59-point loss to the Clippers was the worst in franchise history, they have a coach in Jordi Fernandez who looks like a long-term solution, along with plenty of cap flexibility, draft capital and young players worth taking further looks at.
Celtics suck right now. It’s time to rest the backcourt and play Pritchard and Hauser. Yeah I know, load management and all. Holiday and White hit a wall a month ago. I wish none of the Celtics went to the Olympics. Those two aren’t lazy, it’s tiredness. Pritchard, Hauser even big Luke can atleast bring some energy. Also if I’m Boston’s front office I’m giving Utah 2 1sts for Kessler. Al will be gone soon and Kessler still on rookie scale next season. Then again, most teams should be interested in that guy.
Many past champion teams coast and turn it on by the 2nd half of the regular season (Shaq & Kobe circa early 2000’s) ……. these CELTICS are no different, they’ll turn it on soon and will be there deep in the playoffs.
It’s convenient and funny though that 2 1sts will be enough for Kessler, it’s as if the CELTICS alumni help each other out with preference.
Exactly,
They won a chip and they aren’t as motivated as last year. No real surprise.
Knicks got lucky in win over Sixers. Couldn’t close them out. So had to go OT. Committed three TOs in last 2:40 with a three point lead. Then let Maxey drive to basket to send it to OT.
Love Hart solid 2Way guy. And always impacts winning. He is focused on next play. Always thinking. And I still rather have him be sixth man. For Knicks to level up. Bridges has to play like a one. Easier to do that when Precious is starting. You want to fix bench scoring (worst in L). Start Precious. Hart can still play more mins than Precious
I’ve said since the start. Start Precious ……….
“Knicks’ Precious Achiuwa wants everyone to know ‘I’m an elite defender’
link to nypost.com
The Knicks have the #2 offense in the league, #2 record in the East, and you want to mess with their starting lineup lol
They have one of the best 5-man units in the NBA but sure let’s break them up because you read a ****ing NY Post article LOL
link to nba.com
*#3 reccord
The day you learn this game I’ll explain it to you.
Are the Celtics in the West ????
Go look up their record against playoff teams???
And this has nothing to do with who starts…
And certainly not breaking them up.
Watching Josh Hart play basketball is a joy. The backdoor cuts, flying in for rebounds, always making the right pass. One of the highest basketball IQ players I’ve ever seen, and he combines that with a phenomenal work rate.
“At some point, you got staff, you got assistants, you got a GM, you got presidents (who should tell Thibodeau to stop playing the starters so much),” Kevin Garnett said on his podcast, “Ticket & The Truth,” co-hosted by Paul Pierce.
“And, it’s a data league, bro. Data is probably telling you, ‘Hey, the starting 5 is playing way more minutes than the average starting 5 in the league. So I’m sure he’s heard this. It goes back to what Paul just said – (Thibodeau) is so stuck in his ways and he knows how to win one way, man.”
link to nypost.com
Those who know. Know I’m the biggest Thibs guy here. Probably in the world, at least top 10 in world.
SOoooooo ….
This mins thing with Thibs has been overblown. Yes he does have a tight rotation. But in reality most don’t get that’s how you build a winning team. You win with guys you trust. You win with guys who play your way. I can explain the Bulls and TWolves. But I’ll leave that to you. This is about the Knickerbockers ……. We were at bottom before Thibs. This is his 5th yr here. And has three new starters. And basically a new bench. K
To build a winner. You find talent. And talent that plays the right way. And talent you can trust. You start with 5 and try and build a rotation around that. All this takes time. You start with the 5 first. So to win games you go with a tight rotation. You are teaching how to win. That’s what Knicks needed to learn. That’s how you build a team. So it’s not really a big deal. When you become a .500 team by playing 7- 8 guys. We are talking 35-36 mins for two or three players. It’s no big deal you know WHY?? Cause if you do make playoffs. You are probably going out first round. So it’s ok when your top players are top 20 in mins played. You are building confidence and a team. Not like this anymore ………
The difference this year. Is exactly what KG and the Truth are saying. We are not building a winning team now. We are building a contender. Some don’t understand the difference.
This game today is more fast paced. We started the year knowing we had to fix the bench. Injuries set that back some. But it still has to be done. Knicks are still missing their biggest bench piece in Mitch. Fact is we are now half way thru season. And Knicks LITERALLY can have their starting five lead the league in minutes played. Even the Geniuses on here can see something wrong here.
You are not beating the top teams without a bench. Knicks are last in bench points. And Mitch is still MIA. If you want to win and contend. You have to have your best players ready for playoffs. Not worn out. Going to East Finals means 21 more gms. With the intensity of the playoffs. You can just depend on your five to win three series. But why ?? After leading the L in mins for the season. It’s not a wise move. It’s a desperate move. No TEAM wins Finals without help from bench. No team wins Finals if you don’t play your bench during season. It’s that simple. I get you go with what you got. And our bench needs help. But you don’t overplay them. Then expect to play major mins in the playoffs. I rather finish fourth or fifth in East. And be stronger for playoffs. Now here is when you can shorten your rotation ……. Not during season. The TD is coming. If this is not addressed. Then it tells me they’re not serious about this yr. This is simple analytics here. You want to be at full strength for playoffs. That means having confidence in playing your bench. Even the 8-10 guys. 10-15 mins is not much to ask for a world class athlete.
“in Thibs we Trust” ….. I got you !
Most don’t get what sitting Hart does. Not even the ones who do this for a living get it. So don’t feel bad geniuses ……..
What are the Knicks biggest weaknesses. Do you really Know ???? Do you really care ??
Well I care more than most. So I offer REAL answers not prayers. I’ve said it since the beginning of the year. Cause we all knew the Knicks bench was going to be an issue. New guys and Mitch out. I just see the future better it’s my superpower……
Starting Precious in place of Hart. Protects Towns our biggest investment. It helps with banging, rebounding, and rim protection. Also makes team D better. Most of you think cause Hart is a great rebounder. Why sit him ????
Understand this is about the TEAM ……..
Sitting Hart gives us a great sixth man. We get bench scoring and more depth. Do you comprehend. Plus Precious will get Rebs. Hart can still avg 34-36 mins a game. He can stilll get his numbers. Cause that’s Who He Is !!!!!! Do you comprehend. Hart will still get his stats. Except now it will be as Sixth Man of the Year. Do you comprehend?????
Precious starting helps interior D. Where we need help. He helps KAT by watching his back. And taking the banging too. We are talking 22-26 mins a game. By starting Precious. It also makes Bridges stand up. As we will need him to be more aggressive. And look for his shot more. All things HE NEEEDS to do. And all things Knicks NEEED him to do. Also makes OG be more offensive minded. More motion and plays from both of them. Also they will give us more scoring, from both. This unit will still put up offense. So we are not giving up O for D. We are strengthening our bench for sake of team. And giving Bridges and OG more touches. As of today Precious is avg 18 mins a gm. To ask for 24-26 mins. Is not monumental. To ask him to start and probably sit after 6-8 mins is not perplexing. It’s a simple move we can make in-house. To help our team for long haul. I’m all about the team. And this is a wise move. A simple move. Sometimes the answer is right in front of of us.