James Harden makes NBA history as 76ers thrive with Ben Simmons gone

The Sixers are thriving as James Harden makes a red hot start to his time in Philadelphia after arriving as Ben Simmons’ replacement.

James Harden is on fire. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)

James Harden posted his first triple-double as a 76er on Monday and clicked again with star teammate Joel Embiid to lead Philadelphia to a 125-109 NBA victory over the New York Knicks.

Former Most Valuable Player Harden, playing his second game for the Sixers since arriving in a blockbuster trade from Brooklyn, notched the 68th triple-double of his career with a spectacular performance that resulted in 29 points, 16 assists, 10 rebounds and five steals

He proved the perfect complement to Cameroonian centre Embiid, who scored 37 points, pulled down nine rebounds and blocked four shots.

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Tyrese Maxey also got in on the offensive display, scoring 21 points and grabbing seven rebounds.

The dynamic new pair of Harden and Embiid — who joined forces in Philly when Ben Simmons was traded to the Nets — hooked up on the fast break often as the pair piled on the points.

Harden became the third player in the 76ers’ history — and first since Dana Barros in 1995 — to record at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and 15 assists in a game.

Harden also re-wrote the record books as he became the first NBA player to rack up at least 25 points and 10 assists in his first two games with a team.

Embiid said that so far the addition of Harden — a two-time NBA scoring champion as well as a proven playmaker — was working just as Philadelphia had hoped.

“Unstoppable,” Embiid said of the Sixers’ offence with Harden in the mix. “What are you really gonna do? He’s a great passer and obviously I’ve got someone that attracts a lot of attention, too.

“So you’ve got to make a decision, do you stay on me or do you stay on him? And if you want to guard both of us, with the other guys, now you’ve got Matisse (Thybulle) driving to the rim or wide-open shooters.”

The dream team. Photo: Adam Hunger/Getty Images/AFP

Philadelphia’s second straight victory saw it improve to 37-23, putting the team third in the Eastern Conference.

The Knicks seized the lead early in the fourth quarter, but seven straight Sixers points from Harden put Philadelphia back in front in the nip-and-tuck battle.

An aggressive Embiid set career highs with 23 made free throws and 27 attempts. Although Harden has made an immediate impact, he indicated he expects things to get even better when he gets more settled in.

“I really only know a couple plays, I’m just winging it, honestly,” Harden said.

But coach Doc Rivers and Harden’s new teammates found plenty to praise.

“The biggest thing was the steals, he had his hands everywhere, but I thought offensively, because they’re (the Knicks) a pretty solid defensive team, they made us really think and figure things out on the fly,” Rivers said.

“I thought James did a great job of orchestrating where guys should be.”

Harden said that was a matter of “being active” and trying to be in the right spots.

“A couple of them I gambled and didn’t get, but just tried to use my IQ and just trying to be aggressive defensively. Those steals led to our easy transition offence,” he said.