VJ Edgecombe Announces Himself: Rookie Drops 30 as 76ers Stun Celtics

VJ Edgecombe Announces Himself: Rookie Drops 30 as 76ers Stun Celtics The 2026 NBA Playoffs took a dramatic turn on Tuesday night as Game 2s tipped off across the league. From rookie sensations to terrifying injuries, the action delivered everything fans could ask for. In Boston, the Philadelphia 76ers tied their series 1-1 with a stunning 111-97 victory over the Celtics, and a new star was born. Rookie VJ Edgecombe poured in 30 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and knocked down six three-pointers in a spectacular road performance. Alongside Tyrese Maxey's 29 points and 9 assists, the dynamic backcourt overwhelmed the Celtics. Edgecombe showed incredible poise down the stretch, highlighted by a cold-blooded stepback three over Payton Pritchard to seal the game in the fourth quarter. The 76ers caught fire from deep, shooting 48.7% (19-of-39), while Boston struggled mightily at just 26% (13-of-50). Out West, the Portland Trail Blazers mounted a massive comeback to steal Game 2 from the San Antonio Spurs, 106-103. Scoot Henderson set a new playoff career high with 31 points and five triples, leading the charge after the Blazers trailed by as many as 14 points in the fourth quarter. The game took a scary turn, however, when Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama suffered a concussion after banging his head on the floor. Wembanyama, who had only 5 points and 4 rebounds before exiting, is now in the concussion protocol and will likely miss Game 3, putting the Spurs in a precarious position as the series shifts to Portland. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, the Lakers defended home court again, taking a commanding 2-0 lead over the Houston Rockets with a 101-94 victory. LeBron James delivered a vintage performance, stuffing the stat sheet with 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. The highlight of the night came in the third quarter when the 41-year-old James threw down a thunderous reverse windmill jam that sent Crypto.com Arena into a frenzy. Marcus Smart added 25 points and 5 steals, while the Lakers' defense completely shut down Kevin Durant in the second half, holding him to just a single point after a 22-point first half explosion. Related reading: See how the Play-In tournament unfolded in our Hornets Survive Epic OT, Blazers Stun Suns recap and check out our full breakdown of the 2026 NBA Playoff Bracket.