Justin Edwards is the only reason to keep watching the Sixers right now

Shoutout Justin Edwards – If you watched the Sixers lose 132-119 to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night, I just want to say: I’m sorry. That was 48 minutes of defensive malpractice, a masterclass in how to lose by double digits while still somehow making it boring.

It was the basketball equivalent of microwaving a hot dog and forgetting to take the wrapper off. Nothing about it was right, but hey — it’s March, the team’s cooked, and Justin Edwards is still hooping. So we hold on.

Justin Edwards: The Lone Bright Spot in a Dumpster Fire

Look, this season is over. The standings, the vibes, the rotations — all of it’s done. The only reason to stay locked in is watching Justin Edwards turn this lost season into his own personal highlight reel.

Justin Edwards Last 3 Games: 62 points | 10 three-pointers | 66.6 TS%

Justin Edwards in his last three games:

62 points
10 three-pointers
66.6 TS%

A compilation of 10 Edwards baskets during this span, from quick-trigger spot-up shooting to self-created scoring and more: pic.twitter.com/h2O1Mw2vkJ

— Adam Aaronson's clips (@SixersAdamClips) March 23, 2025

The rookie from Philly is balling like a guy who just found out his 10-day contract turns permanent if he scores 15 a night.

Except, there is no 10-day. He’s already in the plans for next year. And after what he showed against the Hawks — a silky jumper, some crafty footwork, and a legit drive-and-kick game — he’s starting to look like more than just a bench piece.

He even hit Atlanta with a half-spin into an and-one, followed by a casual “yeah I do this” jog back on D. I don’t know if he’ll crack the starting five next year, but Edwards has earned a permanent seat at the table — especially if the front office doesn’t land a high-end wing this summer.

He’s young, he’s Philly-tough, and he plays like he’s got a point to prove. That’s the kind of player this city gets behind.

Other Notes From the Game, Unfortunately

• Chuma Okeke is out there rebounding like Dennis Rodman with a cold brew addiction. Love it.
• Alex Reese got minutes. Didn’t know he was on the team. That’s on me.
• The Georges Niang vs Quentin Grimes chirp-off was peak mid-off, but at least it gave us the line of the night: “If Joel was here, your ass would be in the corner.” Barz.

Everything else sucked, as usual

Nick Nurse’s “high-risk, high-reward” defensive strategy has turned into “no-risk-for-the-opponent” basketball. Teams are walking into the paint like it’s a CVS automatic door. The Sixers give up more open threes than an All-Star Weekend shootaround. And without Joel Embiid, it’s been a nonstop track meet for opposing offenses.

Quentin Grimes vs Georges Niang: The Battle of the Mids

Shout out to Georges Niang for giving us a rare third-quarter chuckle when he barked at Quentin Grimes: “If Joel was here, your ass would be in the corner.”

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We’re nearing the end of a season where nothing really went right. But Edwards has been the small beam of light peeking through this mess, and he deserves real credit for showing up when most of the roster (and coaching staff) have clocked out. The Sixers lost again. The season’s a slow leak. But Justin Edwards? He might just be the real deal.

Hang in there. Only 11 more games.

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