Justin Edwards talks staying ready for Sixers, lessons from playoffs

NEW YORK -- It has been an up-and-down season for second-year Philadelphia 76ers forward Justin Edwards. He has been in and out of the rotation as coach Nick Nurse looks for the right rotations in an effort to find the right combinations on the floor.

Edwards, a Philadelphia native, averaged 6.0 points and 1.5 rebounds while shooting 37.2% from deep inn the 2025-26 season. He has played in seven out of a possible eight playoff games thus far and averaging 3.1 points and 2.7 rebounds while shooting 33.3% from deep. There have been stretches where he has played and stretches where he hasn't gotten off the bench, but he has stayed ready and found ways to contribute when the time calls for it.

"Just staying ready," Edwards said. "Honestly, that's all I can do. Can't go in the game worried about what happened the game before. You gotta prepare for that game."

As Edwards works through his first playoff run, he is learning day in and day out of what it takes to win in the playoffs. He is looking to take these lessons with him as he looks to move forward in his young career.

"That we gotta sacrifice," Edwards said of his biggest lesson. "That's something that KLow (Kyle Lowry) mentioned before the playoffs started, that a lot of guys are going to have to sacrifice playing time. Just a lot of sacrifice, honestly."

That sacrifice that Edwards mentioned is important. He is sacrificing playing time and shots, but is working hard every day to ensure he is finding ways to positively impact the team. He and the rest of the bench mob are standing up and cheering for their teammates in an effort to give them the support that they need out on the floor.

"Just shows the type of team we have," Edwards added. "We're all happy for one another, whether you play or not, and I feel like last series, that's something that we showed. Just being really excited on the bench for our team."

The Sixers will likely give Edwards a chance to contribute as they move forward in this series with the due to his ability to be a 3-and-D type of player.