V.J. Edgecombe Outduels Cooper Flagg, Draws Rave Reviews From Fans as 76ers Beat Mavs

The kids are alright.

V.J. Edgecombe may have been the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft but he showed out against the top overall pick on New Year's Day, out-dueling Cooper Flagg in the Philadelphia 76ers' 123-108 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

Edgecombe finished the game with 23 points, five rebounds, four steals, two assists and a block, while Flagg put up a solid 12 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and one steal.

Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 34 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, continuing his superb season, while Joel Embiid added 22 points, six assists and four rebounds.

Max Christie led the Mavs with 18 points.

But the young Edgecombe was the story, continuing his excellent rookie campaign:

There will be a few worthy contenders for Rookie of the Year when the 2025-26 season concludes, but Edgecombe is certainly keeping his hat in the ring. Thursday night was his sixth 20-point game in his last eight contests, and he's found ways to be a major contributor whether players like Embiid and George sit or play.

It's pretty rare for a rookie to have this level of impact on a team with veteran stars and playoff aspirations. But Edgecombe is contributing in a multitude of ways. His athleticism and defensive energy were never in question, but his ability to impact the game in multiple ways—paired with the fact that his jumper is way ahead of schedule—is a fantastic sign for his future.

The Sixers found one in Edgecombe. Flagg is going to be a star as well, no doubt, but Edgecombe has looked like the better rookie in their head-to-head matchups this season.