SPORTS SECTION E
Thursday, April 23, 2026
PRINCE BAIN - E3
Ayton and Lakers take 2-0 lead LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James had 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and the shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers beat the Houston Rockets for a 101-94 victory Tuesday night and a shocking 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. Bahamian centre Deandre Ayton, in 27 minutes on the floor, contributed six points, five rebounds, one assist and a block for the Lakers, who have twice overcome the absences of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves with a comprehensive team effort led by the 41-year-old James. Marcus Smart had 25 points with five 3-pointers and seven assists. Los Angeles did it in Game 2 despite the return of Kevin Durant, who scored just three of his 23 points in the second half
‘GET DAT’: Rockets forward Tari Eason, left, shoots as Lakers centre Deandre Ayton defends on Tuesday night. (AP Photo/ Mark J Terrill)
With a wink, 76ers rookie Edgecombe has quickly found his playoff footing
against the Lakers' tough defence. “We executed the game plan offensively and defensively, shored up some of our mistakes from Game 1, and just got into a dogfight,” James said. “When we have two big guns out like we have, we've all got to pick up our play, and that's all it's about. We're all just trying to make contributions on offence and seize the opportunity.” Luke Kennard scored 23 points for Los Angeles, which nursed a small lead throughout the fourth quarter of Game 2. Smart found James streaking down the lane for a theatrical two-handed dunk with 55 seconds left, and Kennard added two late free throws to ice it. Game 3 is Friday in Houston.
With a
I’M HIM: Philadelphia 76ers guard Valdez “V” Edgecombe (77) during the second half of Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
‘VJ’ first rookie in NBA history to post five 3-pointers and 10 rebounds in a playoff game By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer BOSTON (AP) — Paul George was in the middle of heaping praise on teammate and 76ers rookie Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe’s efforts in Philadelphia’s 111-97 Game 2 win over Boston, when he realised he wasn’t even sure about something. “Are you 21 yet?” George turned and asked Edgecombe on the dais during their postgame news conference. “No, 20,” Edgecombe responded with a smirk. Nobody’s laughing about the elite company that the 76ers’ third overall pick in last June’s draft put himself into during just his second career playoff game. “I just try not to overthink it,” Edgecombe said. “I try not to put pressure on myself. Everybody’s already putting pressure on us to perform. ... Plus, I’m around a great group of guys. That also helps me. Just keep instilling confidence in me. Just to keep going, keep going. Regardless of who’s
on the floor, who’s not on the floor.” Edgecombe finished with 30 points and 10 rebounds to become the first rookie to record at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in a playoff game since Tim Duncan on May 5, 1998. He also became the first rookie in NBA history to post five 3-pointers and 10 rebounds in a playoff game. It was a bounce-back performance after a Game 1 in which he finished with just 13 points on 6-of-16 shooting. George said it’s the culmination of something they first saw glimpses of in The Bahamas native when Edgecombe scored 34 points in his first pro game in Philadelphia’s onepoint opening night win in Boston. “When you think about it how he started his first NBA game in this building, I’m sure he was in a small percentage or small group of players that what he did on that opening night,” George said. Edgecombe’s opening-night performance was the third-most points
for an NBA player in his first game. Wilt Chamberlain scored 43 points in his debut in 1959 for the Philadelphia Warriors and also had 28 rebounds that night against New York. Frank Selvy scored 35 points for the Milwaukee Hawks against Boston in 1954. Allen Iverson held the Sixers’ record with 30 points in his debut in 1996. Edgecombe’s 14 first-quarter points on opening night were also the most ever for a player’s first NBA quarter. That record had been set by LeBron James in 2003. Edgecombe finished the regular season averaging 16.0 points in 75 games. And he’s done it with a flair that is in some ways reminiscent of the fun-loving style that Iverson exuded during his 76ers’ tenure. In Tuesday’s win, after knocking down his final basket of the night — a deep 3-pointer over Payton Pritchard to put Philadelphia in front 105-92 after Boston had gotten within 91-89 — Edgecombe
winked at the camera as he jogged back down the court. George said it’s just a taste of what's to come from Edgecombe. “To put a whole season together and get to a point where he’s showcasing who he is and his abilities. I’ve been saying all year long he’s far past a rookie,” George said. “It’s just impressive, man. (Edgecombe had) 30 and 10, but it’s just what we needed in the moments throughout the game when he took over, and kind of just put us at ease.” Tuesday wasn’t all fun for Edgecombe, though. He did take a hard fall on his back early in the game that resulted in him limping to the locker room in both the first and third quarters. But Edgecombe shrugged off any notion that his fall will hinder him going forward in this series. “I just landed on my back, but I’m good. I was able to finish the game so I’m good,” he said. “That’s all I’ve got for you. I’m good, ain’t nothing wrong with me. I’m good.”
76ers’ VJ Edgecombe goes up for a shot during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the Orlando Magic on April 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)