Simmons in magic moment
AUSTRALIAN sensation Ben Simmons has joined two Hall of Fame players as the only NBA rookies to reach 1000 points, 500 assists and 500 rebounds.
Only Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson had reached the mark before the 21-yearold brought up an assist in the second quarter of his 66th match for the Philadelphia 76ers yesterday.
He posted 13 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.
Simmons moved past Johnson on another tally later in the 76ers’ 118-110 victory against New York Knicks when he racked up his second consecutive triple-double.
That made Simmons the first rookie to eight tripledoubles in the regular season since Robertson 57 years ago.
Joel Embiid had 29 points and 10 rebounds, and Dario Saric had 21 points and 12 rebounds, as the 36ers had all five starters in double figures.
The Knicks, who squandered an eight-point lead to lose their ninth straight, were well ahead with 7min 5sec remaining.
But the 76ers hit back-toback three-pointers with 3:23 left to take a two-point lead.
Another Australian young gun, Dante Exum, returned from injury to make his season debut for Utah in their 116-88 victory over Phoenix Suns.
Entering with a minute left on the clock in the first, the 22year-old was on the scoreboard early, making his second free throw.