Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe lit up the Celtics with 34 points on Wednesday night, the most in an NBA debut since Wilt Chamberlain had 43 in 1959, as the Sixers won 117-116.

Rookie VJ Edgecombe made an unforgettable NBA debut, scoring 34 points to become the third-highest debut scorer ever, behind Wilt Chamberlain and Frank Selvy. He also shattered LeBron James' first-quarter scoring record and Allen Iverson's franchise debut record.

The Celtics won the rebounding battle, limited turnovers, and were active on defense — but their mistakes were just too numerous.

The Boston Celtics got their preseason schedule off to a good start with a 121-103 win over a short-handed Memphis Grizzlies roster. Joe Mazzulla went with a surprise starting five, handing starts to Xavier Tillman Sr., Chris Boucher and Sam Hauser as Payton Pritchard, Anfernee Simons and Neemias Queta watched on in street clothes.

Joe Mazzulla explained his motivation for coaches-media pickup game: "It was important that we did that yesterday, and we’ll do it again."

The NBA is set to start the 2025-26 season tonight with a pair of primetime Western Conference battles featuring the Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the Houston Rockets, before the Golden State Warriors battle the Los Angeles Lakers in the late-night window.

"It's a long year," said Queta. All I've been working (on) myself is just trying to figure out ways how to still be impactful on the court."