Why is VJ Edgecombe not playing against OKC Thunder in NBA Summer League? 76ers' #3 pick's absence from game explored

Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe missed Monday's Summer League game against the OKC Thunder due to a contusion in his left thumb.

The Athletic's Tony Jones reported that Edgecombe's injury is considered day-to-day and will be questionable for the Sixers' game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday.

Judah Mintz started for the Sixers in place of Edgecombe. Mintz scored 11 points in the Summer League opener. He spent the past season as a member of the G League's Delaware Blue Coats.

Edgecombe, the No. 3 pick of the 2025 NBA draft, finished with a game-high 28 points, 10 rebounds and four assists on 48.1% shooting in his Summer League debut on Saturday against the Utah Jazz.

Edgecombe impressed in his lone collegiate season with the Baylor Bears, averaging 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game. The 19-year-old guard was projected to be a lottery pick. However, the Sixers' No. 3 selection was a matter of debate leading up to the draft.

Former Rutgers Scarlet Knights star Ace Bailey, who was predicted to be the third pick for the majority of the year, was drafted at No. 5 by the Jazz. Bailey had a chaotic predraft process, which, per ESPN, included canceling a meeting with the Sixers.

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VJ Edgecombe's trash talk with Elijah Harkless in Summer League debut goes viral

VJ Edgecombe's blunt response to guard Elijah Harkless during the Philadelphia 76ers vs. Utah Jazz Summer League game on Saturday went viral on social media.

With about two minutes remaining in the third quarter, Edgecomber reacted to a reach-in foul by Harkless near the half-court line.

“Are you worried about me? I'm the No. 3 pick," Edgecombe said. "Sorry as f**ck!"

The Sixers would go on to lose the game, 93-89, at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City. Edgecombe shared his thoughts on the Summer League opener.

"It was a great bump, but overall, we lost," Edgecombe said postgame. "That isn't the outcome we wanted, but overall, I feel like we started to figure some things out as a team, so heading into next game, we should be good."

The Sixers had a forgettable 2024-25 season, with injuries to former NBA MVP Joel Embiid and nine-time All-Star Paul George for most of the year. They missed the playoffs as they finished with the fifth-worst record in the league (24-58).

Philadelphia hopes that the 6-foot-5 VJ Edgecombe could complement the team, specifically in the backcourt alongside All-Star Tyrese Maxey.