SPORTS SECTION E
Thursday, April 16, 2026
ROCKETS WIN - E2
Rookie ‘VJ’ and 76ers advance to playoffs HANGTIME: 76ers’ Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe, right, goes up for a layup against Magic’s Paolo Banchero during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@ tribunemedia.net VALDEZ "VJ" Edgecombe stepped into a battle for his first official birth into the playoffs and produced a statement double-double, helping secure the Philadelphia 76ers' seventh seed and a spot in the postseason. The 76ers defeated the Orlando Magic 109-97 in the play-in tournament to secure the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference and advance to a first-round matchup against the Boston Celtics. The play-in continues to add urgency to the postseason picture, forcing teams to earn their way in under elimination pressure, and Philadelphia responded with a controlled performance. Edgecombe finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds, adding one assist and one steal in 41 minutes. He shot 7-for-16 from the field and 4-for-5 from the free-throw line. His 11 rebounds were the most in the game and he played a key role in limiting Orlando to one shot on multiple possessions. Philadelphia was led by Tyrese Maxey, who scored a game-high 31 points and added six assists. Kelly
Oubre Jr also scored 19 points, while Paul George contributed 16 points, five rebounds and five assists as the 76ers had balanced production across their main rotation. Starting centre Joel Embiid was not available for this game. Edgecombe’s impact came within the flow of the game. He did not force offence, took efficient shots, and stayed active defensively. His rebounding stood out, especially in the second half, where he helped control the pace and close Orlando’s possessions. Orlando remained competitive through three quarters, but Philadelphia separated in the fourth. The 76ers outscored the Magic 30-23 in the final quarter, using a combination of Maxey’s scoring and team defence to pull away with a rare Andre Drummond three pointer to secure the game. The atmosphere reflected the stakes of the play-in format. Every possession carried weight, and the game had a familiar postseason feel throughout. For Edgecombe, this marked his first experience in that type of environment, and he handled it without issue conducting himself on the court like a veteran. Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson was in attendance, adding
ROOKIE STRONG: 76ers shooting guard VJ Edgecombe reacts during the second half of against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) significance to the moment. Edgecombe, who earlier this season broke Iverson’s franchise record for points in a debut, delivered a composed performance in front of one of the organisation’s most important figures.
The focus now shifts to Boston, where the second-seeded Celtics pose a higher level of difficulty on both ends of the floor, but Edgecombe has been productive against them this season.
In his four games versus Boston, he has averaged 19 points, five rebounds and 3.7 assists, showing he can contribute against a top defensive team. Philadelphia will rely on Maxey to lead the offence,
but Edgecombe’s role remains important. The 20-year-old rookie guard’s ability to rebound, defend and provide efficient scoring gives the 76ers another option as they enter the playoffs.
Chisholm Jr and Yankees get 5-4 win over Angels By MIKE FITZPATRICK AP Baseball Writer
NEW York Yankees’ Austin Wells, left, celebrates with Jazz Chisholm Jr after they scored on a walk-off two run hit during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels last night in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
NEW YORK (AP) — José Caballero laced a two-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning that gave the New York Yankees a 5-4 victory over the Angels, moments after Los Angeles botched an infield popup in a costly misplay last night. Aaron Judge hit his third homer of the series and Trent Grisham had a two-run single for the Yankees, who won for only the second time in eight games following an 8-2 start. Mike Trout hit his fourth homer in three games, putting the
Angels ahead 4-3 with a two-run drive in the fifth. That was still the score when Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr popped up to the left side with one out and nobody on in the ninth. But shortstop Zach Neto and ex-Yankees third baseman Oswald Peraza miscommunicated, and the ball dropped right between them on the infield dirt for a gift single as Neto put his hands on his head. That came back to bite the Angels, who had played outstanding defence all night to that point. Austin Wells worked a full-count walk against closer Jordan Romano (0-2), and both
runners were attempting to steal when Caballero lined a 1-2 slider into left-center. Chisholm Jr easily scored the tying run and third-base coach Luis Rojas aggressively waved Wells home. The catcher barely beat Neto's relay throw to the plate with a feetfirst slide, and the safe call was confirmed after a replay review. It was the second blown save and loss in the series for Romano, who squandered a two-run lead in the ninth inning of Monday night's 11-10 defeat. David Bednar (1-2) struck out two in a perfect inning for the win, helped by a fine defensive play at shortstop
from Caballero.Adam Frazier and Logan O'Hoppe each hit a solo homer off Yankees starter Luis Gil to help the Angels erase an early 3-0 deficit. It was the first home run at Yankee Stadium for O'Hoppe, who grew up about 45 miles away on Long Island. Judge sent an opposite-field solo shot to right in the first for his seventh home run this season and fourth in four games. Up next Yankees ace Max Fried (2-0, 1.93 ERA) pitches this afternoon in the finale of the 4-game series. Los Angeles was undecided on a scheduled starter.