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Ben Simmons hits first regular season three-pointer

He broke the internet with his first pre-season triple — and Ben Simmons’ first regular season three-pointer has drawn a similar reaction.

2 min read
November 21, 2019 - 1:41PM
Ben Simmons hits first regular season three-pointer

Sit back and enjoy, Australia. Our man has finally made a three-pointer in the NBA. It wasn’t an end of shotclock heave either.

Early in the first quarter of Philadelphia’s home game victory over the New York Knicks on Thursday, Simmons drifted to the corner, received a pass from teammate Furkan Korkmaz — and didn’t hesitate.

He rose up confidently and hit nothing but net to send the home commentator wild.

“There’s Simmons .... Yes! He did it,” the commentator said. “Maybe now they’ll finally leave him alone.”

Ben Simmons shoots a three-pointer. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Ben Simmons shoots a three-pointer. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Simmons first triple came in his 172nd NBA game — and after he’d missed his first 17 attempts in the league.

It has been a regular point of contention and discussion among basketball fans and media since he began his career and only intensified when vision of him taking the shot confidently over the recent offseason were released.

The Aussie point guard almost broke the internet when he took and made a triple during a preseason game in China — and the reaction was immense again on Thursday.

He said on court after the game it “feels good” to have finally hit a three.

“It just feels good,” he said.

American website The Bleacher Report published a feature focusing on Simmons’ reluctance to shoot during the 76ers’ somewhat underwhelming 8-5 start to the season.

“For us to win, we’re going to need him to shoot,” Sixers centre Joel Embiid told Bleacher Report. “We’ve been encouraging him since he’s been here.”

It appears he’d finally heard enough.

Simmons carried that aggression and confidence into the second half where he almost single-handedly hauled the Sixers out of a concerning slump.

After leading by two points at half time, Philadelphia found themselves trailing by 17 points during the third quarter after a stunningly poor start to the second half.

Simmons’ energy on defence was credited as the only thing that stopped the Sixers from being blown off their own home court in the third term.

His defensive pressure helped the Sixers cut the margin back to just five points at three-quarter time.

From there, Philadelphia finally woke up in the fourth quarter to lead 93-90 with three minutes to play.

Back to back late three-point bombs to Mike Scott and Joel Embiid proved to be the daggers that crushed the Knicks’ hopes.

Embiid’s bomb with 50 seconds to play shut the door on New York, putting Philly up 102-95.

The Sixers eventually held on for a 109-104 win. Embiid finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds.

Simmons’ effort of 18 points, seven boards, just one turnover and 13 assists also saw him declared the best player on the floor.

The Sixers are still undefeated at home this season through five games.

Originally published as Ben Simmons hits first regular season three-pointer

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/us-sports/nba/ben-simmons-hits-first-regular-season-threepointer/news-story/89bdca5553acee81ca920f811c72499c