Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe off to historic start for 76ers - ESPN

PHILADELPHIA — Last season, it took a month — and 15 games — for the Philadelphia 76ers to claim their third victory of what eventually became a dismal 24-58 campaign.

This season? Six days — and three games — to get there.

And they largely have Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe to thank, as the pair has combined for 182 points — the most by any starting backcourt through a team's first three games of a season since starters were first tracked in 1970-71, according to ESPN Research.

Monday was another scintillating performance from the pair as Maxey had 43 points and 8 assists while Edgecombe had 26 points and 7 dimes to help the 76ers continue one of the most surprising starts of this young NBA season, improving to 3-0 thanks to a 136-124 victory over the Orlando Magic.

«Yeah, I mean obviously the guys are playing extremely hard and again, we needed every bit of everybody that hit the floor,» 76ers coach Nick Nurse said afterward. «You look down [at the box score] and you say, 'Who didn't help us tonight?

»You couldn't say anybody [who came in] didn't help us tonight."

While it is true Philadelphia got plenty of contributions from across the roster in this one, the headliners — like they have been in each of the first three games — have been the backcourt of Maxey and Edgecombe. At this time a year ago, the 76ers were just beginning what became a six-month dirge of a season, one that ended with the 76ers crossing their fingers and toes in the hopes of landing some lottery luck to keep their top-6 protected first round pick.

Philadelphia did, in fact, get that luck, and as a result got Edgecombe. And, because they are did, they are off to a flying start — including winning Monday's game with Joel Embiid watching in