Edgecombe’s Game Winner Lifts 76ers Over Hield’s Warriors

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UNITED STATES – When the Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors faced off last night, the final score was only part of the story. The real spotlight belonged to two of the best Bahamian players ever to reach the NBA, VJ Edgecombe and Buddy Hield, who went head-to-head in a thrilling matchup.

Edgecombe checked back into the game with just over a minute left in the fourth quarter and immediately took over. His biggest moment came with 0.9 seconds remaining, when he grabbed an offensive rebound and scored the putback that sealed a 99–98 win for the Sixers.

He finished with one of his most complete performances of the season: 10 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Hield delivered a strong outing as well, putting up 14 points, a season-high eight rebounds, two steals and a pair of three-pointers. He also sparked a Warriors rally after the Sixers had built a 24-point lead, attacking both ends of the floor.

The two Bahamians even had several one-on-one moments in the fourth quarter. Hield scored a putback over Edgecombe, then outran him for a transition layup a few plays later. But Edgecombe ultimately had the final say, picking off the inbound pass with eight seconds left to set up the eventual game winner.

Meanwhile, another Bahamian star delivered late-game heroics of his own. Deandre Ayton posted 17 points and eight rebounds in the Lakers’ 123–120 road win over the Toronto Raptors, capped by Rui Hachimura’s clutch corner three. Ayton shot an efficient 7-for-11 from the field and now ranks second in the NBA in overall field goal percentage at 71 percent.

And even on the road, the top plays don’t stop. Here’s the best of the week:

5. Buddy Hield, older than VJ, but still beats him down the floor for the bucket. Respect your elders.
4. If VJ is coming down the lane, do not be a hero. We’ve learned nothing from Mark Few’s kid.
3. FIU’s Rhema Collins is blossoming into a star, averaging 17 and 9… proving small school doesn’t mean small game.
2. D’Shawn Knowles kicks off the Caribbean Baseball Cup with a walk-off single. No Altuve celebration energy,  if you know, you know.
1. The top spot belongs to VJ Edgecombe. In the final minute, he made every winning play, capped by the first game-winner of his NBA career. Definitely not the last.