In a stunning display of athleticism, VJ Edgecombe electrifies the crowd with an unforgettable dunk, yet he’s opted out of the All-Star Dunk Contest.
SPORTS (https://6abc.com/topic/sports/)
On January 20, 2026, at 5:07 AM, in Philadelphia, it was a moment that will be talked about for years to come. VJ Edgecombe (https://www.espn.com/nba/player//id/5124612/vj-edgecombe), the rookie sensation for the Philadelphia 76ers (https://www.espn.com/nba/team//name/phi/philadelphia-76ers), executed a jaw-dropping slam dunk that would surely make basketball legend Dr. J proud. With sheer power and finesse, Edgecombe managed to posterize a member of the Indiana Pacers (https://www.espn.com/nba/team/_/name/ind/indiana-pacers), sending fans into a frenzy.
After landing from his spectacular dunk, Edgecombe hit the floor hard but quickly recovered, sitting up to acknowledge the cheers from the bench. The play counted for two crucial points, cementing its place as the highlight of his budding NBA career, especially considering he was the No. 3 pick from Baylor University.
However, don’t hold your breath waiting to see him participate in next month’s dunk contest during All-Star Weekend. Edgecombe has made it clear that he will not take part in the event, even though he continues to dazzle with incredible performances, contributing significantly to the 76ers' push for a strong playoff position in the Eastern Conference.
His dunk played a pivotal role in the team’s comeback victory against the Pacers, where they triumphed with a score of 113-104 (https://apnews.com/article/pacers-76ers-score-45959bb86d5bdf99c49ababb9631a9d5). Teammate Joel Embiid (https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3059318/joel-embiid) joked about the attention Edgecombe received afterward, commenting on the swarm of media surrounding him, "You must have dunked on someone! I haven’t seen this many people around you since you got drafted."
Although Edgecombe only scored 11 points during the game—while Embiid led with 30 points and nine rebounds, and Tyrese Maxey (https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4431678/tyrese-maxey) contributed 29 points with eight steals—it was his spectacular slam that truly captivated the over 18,000 fans in attendance.
Standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall, Edgecombe received a pass from Maxey just beyond the three-point line, drove aggressively towards the basket, and soared over the 6-foot-10 Pacers center Tony Bradley (https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4065673/tony-bradley) for the dunk. Although he was fouled on the play, he unfortunately missed the subsequent free throw.
Reflecting on the experience, Edgecombe remarked, "That hurt. I landed too hard. It feels fantastic to dunk on someone, but the landing made it painful." This sentiment isn't surprising given that he showcased a remarkable 38.5-inch vertical leap, placing him in the top ten at the draft combine.
Since his debut, where he scored an impressive 34 points against the Boston Celtics, Edgecombe has become a valuable asset to the Sixers. He is among just three rookies this season who have recorded at least ten games with 20 or more points.
Despite anticipating some soreness the following morning, he is eager to be ready for the back-to-back game against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. With a playful grin, Edgecombe mentioned that the dunk he just performed wasn’t even his best of the season, although no paying fans were there to witness it. "I’ve dunked on Jo during practice before," he quipped while smiling at Embiid, "but I don’t know if anyone has any footage of that!"
As the excitement builds around Edgecombe’s growing career, one can’t help but wonder: what kind of jaw-dropping feats will he showcase next? And will he change his mind about participating in the dunk contest after all? Share your thoughts and let’s discuss!
