Player grades: Short-handed Sixers fall to defending champion Thunder

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers returned home on Monday to play host to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder looking to remain in the win column and continue climbing back into the top 6 in the East. The challenge was going to be tough with so many players sidelined, but Philadelphia has been a scrappy bunch through all of the adversity. With that being said, it wouldn't matter much against OKC.

The Thunder took control of this game early and held off any run these short-handed Sixers tried to make as they walked away with the 123-103 win. Former Sixers guard Jared McCain made his return to Philadelphia and had 13 points off the bench for the Thunder while reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 22 points for OKC. The Sixers were led by VJ Edgecombe with 35 points and six rebounds while Trendon Watford had 14 points, four rebounds, and four assists.

MarJon Beauchamp had 13 points and six rebounds while Cam Payne had 10 points and six assists. Here are the player grades following the loss: VJ Edgecombe: A-minus Somebody had to take the shots. Edgecombe was aggressive with his offense early as shown by the 10 shots he took in the first quarter against this aggressive Thunder defense.

It wasn’t the most efficient night for the No. 3 pick of the draft, but Edgecombe gave the Sixers the offensive engine they needed in this one. He knocked down some tough shots in this one as he received a lot of attention from OKC’s vaunted defense.