NBA Notes: Sixers, VJ Edgecombe, Hornets, Mason Plumlee, Hawks

76ers

While much of the rookie buzz has gone elsewhere, the Sixers feel pretty good about what they have in VJ Edgecombe.

Philadelphia’s No. 3 overall pick showed it again Tuesday night, burying a game-winning three with two seconds left in overtime to cap a standout performance against Memphis.

Edgecombe finished with 25 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals in nearly 41 minutes, continuing a rookie season that has been more advanced than many expected.

“VJ’s been telling us for weeks that he deserves that shot,” Tyrese Maxey said after the game, via Tony Jones of The Athletic. “I trusted him. He took it with confidence and made it.”

Edgecombe’s emergence has softened the sting of last season’s struggles, which allowed the Sixers to keep a top-six protected first-round pick and land him.

Hornets

Charlotte will be without Mason Plumlee for a while.

The Hornets announced that the veteran center underwent surgery to address a right groin injury and will be reevaluated in six weeks, putting at least 22 games in jeopardy. There’s no guarantee Plumlee will be ready once that window closes.

Signed to a minimum deal over the summer, Plumlee has served primarily as depth behind Ryan Kalkbrenner and Moussa Diabate. Given how well both young centers have played, the absence is unlikely to significantly alter the rotation.

That said, Charlotte’s frontcourt depth is being tested. Kalkbrenner has now missed six straight games with a left elbow sprain, forcing newly signed two-way big PJ Hall into backup minutes behind Diabate.

There was some good news, though. Rookie wing Kon Knueppel returned Wednesday after missing one game with a sprained ankle, even as Miles Bridges remains sidelined with a right ankle injury.

Hawks

Atlanta continues to churn through the back end of its roster.

Just days after being waived by the Clippers, guard RayJ Dennis has agreed to a two-way deal with the Hawks, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. It’s Dennis’ third NBA stop this season after short stints with Indiana and Los Angeles.

Dennis hasn’t carved out a consistent role at the NBA level yet, but he continues to draw interest because of his G League production. In seven games this fall, he averaged nearly 21 points, five assists and over two steals per contest.

The Hawks had an opening after waiving Eli Ndiaye due to a season-ending shoulder injury. Dennis now joins Malik Williams and Caleb Houstan on Atlanta’s two-way list and could be active as soon as this week if the deal is finalized.