Edgecombe's Last-Second Heroics Lift 76ers Over Warriors 99-98 in Dramatic Comeback Win

The Philadelphia 76ers pulled off a heart-stopping 99-98 victory over the Golden State Warriors at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Thursday, December 4, 2025 — not with a star-studded explosion, but with grit, chaos, and a rookie’s nerve. With 0.9 seconds left, VJ Edgecombe corralled his own airballed three-pointer, then stole an inbounds pass and dunked it in to seal the win. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t supposed to happen. But it did. And now, the 76ers have their second straight win — while the Warriors, despite erasing a 24-point deficit, are left wondering what might have been.

A Team Without Its Stars

The Warriors entered the game already crippled. Stephen Curry, their two-time MVP and offensive engine, was out with a left quad contusion. Jimmy Butler, their gritty two-way forward, was sidelined with left knee soreness. Then, just before halftime, Draymond Green — the defensive heartbeat of the team — limped off with a right foot injury. By the fourth quarter, Golden State was down to seven healthy rotation players. They shouldn’t have been competitive. Yet they were. They outscored the 76ers 32-19 in the final period, turning a 67-43 deficit into a one-point game with under a minute left.

Maxey’s Masterclass and the Block That Saved It

While the Warriors fought like cornered animals, Tyrese Maxey carried the 76ers. The 24-year-old point guard dropped 35 points on 13-of-27 shooting, including four three-pointers, and played 39 minutes like his legs were made of steel. But his most critical moment came in the final seconds. With the Warriors down one and 3.2 seconds left, De'Anthony Melton launched a potential game-winning floater off the glass. Maxey, out of nowhere, leapt like a man possessed and swatted it away — clean, decisive, and utterly clutch. The arena exploded. The Warriors called timeout. And then came the chaos.

The Rookie Who Stepped Up

On the inbounds, the Warriors tried to get the ball to Pat Spencer, their leading scorer with 16 points on the night. But VJ Edgecombe, the 20-year-old rookie out of Florida State, read the play perfectly. He slipped past the passer, intercepted the ball at midcourt, and sprinted toward the rim. With 1.8 seconds left, he launched a contested floater that bounced off the back iron — then dove, tipped it in with his left hand, and was immediately mobbed by teammates. No assist. No setup. Just instinct. The official clock read 0.9. The Warriors had no timeouts left. Game over.

Embiid’s Quiet Return

Joel Embiid, the two-time MVP and franchise cornerstone, returned after an undisclosed absence — likely a rest or minor injury management — and played just 22 minutes. He scored 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting, grabbed six rebounds, and dished three assists. He didn’t dominate. He didn’t need to. His presence stretched the floor, drew double teams, and created space for Maxey and Edgecombe. Most importantly, he was the one who passed to Edgecombe on the final play — a subtle, almost invisible nudge that set up the heroics. "He’s not just a scorer," said one 76ers assistant coach off the record. "He’s the glue. Even when he’s not firing, he’s making everyone better."

What This Means for the Standings

With the win, the Philadelphia 76ers improved to 12-9 (.571), moving into fourth place in the Eastern Conference — just behind the Knicks, Raptors, and Celtics. They’re now one game ahead of the Miami Heat and one behind the Boston Celtics. For the Golden State Warriors, the loss dropped them to 11-12 (.478), slipping behind the Suns and Lakers in the Western Conference. They’ve lost two straight and now face a brutal stretch: back-to-back games against the Thunder and Kings before Christmas.

The Bigger Picture

This game wasn’t just about a comeback. It was about resilience. The Warriors, without their two best players and one of their best defenders, played like a team that refused to quit. The 76ers, meanwhile, showed they can win even when their superstar isn’t at his best. That’s a sign of depth. That’s a sign of culture. And in a league where parity is growing, those traits matter more than ever.

Coach Nick Nurse didn’t give a full postgame press conference, but his YouTube clip — titled "Nick Nurse PostGame Interview | Golden State Warriors vs Philadelphia 76ers" — showed him smiling, shaking his head, and saying, "That’s why you play the game." No grand speeches. Just quiet pride.

What’s Next?

The 76ers next face an opponent yet to be announced, but they’ll likely get a breather before a pivotal matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks next week. The Warriors, meanwhile, are back in action Saturday, December 6, 2025, in Oklahoma City — a game that could make or break their playoff hopes. Without Curry and Butler, they’ll need more from Spencer, Jonathan Kuminga, and whoever steps up to fill Green’s void.