Ben Simmons blasted after Philadelphia 76ers suffer all-time ‘choke job’

The Philadelphia 76ers have suffered an embarrassing choke in game five of their NBA Playoffs series against the Atlanta Hawks.

Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks draws a foul from Ben Simmons.

The Philadelphia 76ers have been blasted following an all-time choke in game five of their NBA Playoffs series against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday AEST.

Ben Simmons’ side was leading by 18 points at three-quarter time at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center, yet somehow managed to let Atlanta close the gap and clinch a 3-2 lead in the seven-game series.

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The Hawks registered 15 unanswered points during a chaotic passage of play in the fourth quarter, with the 76ers simply unable to find the basket.

Atlanta took the lead for the first time with less than two minutes remaining in the final quarter, and held their nerve to secure a 109-106 victory.

At one stage in the match, the hosts were 26 points ahead of their rivals, making it the third-largest blown lead in a playoff game since 1997.

Twenty minutes ago I asked Siri the score of the Hawks game. It said they were getting ‘demolished’ by the 76ers. I just turned on the tv and now the Hawks are winning!

— Larry Ferlazzo (@Larryferlazzo) June 17, 2021

I cannot believe this is happening. 76ers prob can’t either.

— Chris Vernon (@ChrisVernonShow) June 17, 2021

this would be the biggest playoffs chokejob ive ever seen since yesterday.

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) June 17, 2021

Simmons copped plenty of criticism for repeatedly faltering at the free-throw line, missing six of his eight free throws in the first half alone.

The Australian finished the game with eight points, nine assists and four rebounds in 38 minutes on the court.

The 24-year-old attempted four shots in the entire match, missing a whopping total of 10 free throws.

Simmons is shooting at 32.8 per cent from the free-throw line this post-season, missing 44 in total — he has already botched more free-throw attempts in the NBA Playoffs than Golden State Warriors icon Steph Curry missed during the entire regular season.

NBC’s Nick Ashooh tweeted: “Ben Simmons is such a liability. The Hawks gave him a car length of space on the perimeter all night too.”

Meanwhile, Philadelphia teammate Joe Embiid contributed 37 points, five assists and 13 rebounds, while Seth Curry added 34 points for the 76ers.

Worst FT% by a player in a single playoff run

27.3 — Ben Wallace, 2006

32.8 — Ben Simmons, 2021

37.3 — DeAndre Jordan, 2016

* Minimum 50 attempts

This 76ers fan is trying to teach Ben Simmons how to shoot a free throw 😂 pic.twitter.com/WAKNOJjXLn

— BroBible (@BroBible) June 17, 2021

Philly has to trade Ben Simmons this offseason while he still has value. I can't defend him anymore.

— Mark Gunnels (@MarkAGunnels) June 17, 2021

I used to think there was no possible way I’d be able to do anything a professional athlete could do while playing their sport.

But I’m almost sure I could shoot free throws better than Ben Simmons

— Martin Weiss (@martinweiss) June 17, 2021

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Trae Young starred for the Hawks, scoring 39 points in 40 minutes.

The young gun’s 18-foot pull-up shot cut Philadelphia’s lead to four points at 104-100 with under three minutes remaining.

Young then nailed a floater to make it 104-102 before drawing a foul to earn three free throws which he promptly drained to give the Hawks their first lead of the game.

Danilo Gallinari’s fadeaway put Atlanta 107-104 ahead and the Sixers’ fate was sealed when Joel Embiid missed two late free throws that could have put Philadelphia back within striking distance.

Instead, Atlanta regained possession and two more free throws from Young extended the Hawks lead to make the game safe.

“We just kept fighting,” Young said after the three-point win.

“We have confidence in each other. We’re, we’re a great group, good to be around.

“We all love you to each other’s company and it shows on the court and we never stopped believing until the final buzzer.”

The Hawks will secure a spot in the Eastern Conference finals if they defeat Philadelphia on Saturday morning AEST.

— with AFP