Aussies in NBA: Simmons the first Australian to record a triple-double

Well, that didn’t take long.

In just his fourth NBA game, rookie Ben Simmons has recorded his first career triple-double, becoming the first Australian to ever do so.

Simmons posted 21 points, on 8-11 shooting, to go along with 12 rebounds and 10 assists to help fuel Philadelphia to their first win of the young season, a 97-86 win over Detroit. His performance today continues the Aussies blistering start to the young season which has seen him already re-write a number of NBA and Philadelphia records.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBHBYB_lukg&feature=youtu.be

Earlier in the week, Simmons became the second player in NBA history to start his career with three straight games of 10+ points, 10+ rebounds and 5+ assists – joining Oscar Robertson as the only player to produce those type of numbers. With his output today, Simmons joins Oscar Robertson and Hambone Williams as the only players to record a triple-double within their first four career games. By comparison, LeBron James posted his first career triple-double mid-way through his second season in the league. He also becomes the third Sixers rookie to record the stat line, along with Michael Carter-Williams and Andre Iguodala.

In addition to all of that, Simmons is the first player to produce a double-double in their first four NBA games since Shaquille O’Neal in his rookie season.

Simmons was quick to downplay his individual performance post game, saying he was excited to pick up Philly’s first win of the season.

“It feels great that we won.” Simmons told NBC Philadelphia after the game.

“Our team just played well together, played the right way and I’m just happy we got our first one.”

https://twitter.com/sixers/status/922638303236706305

With Simmons flirting with a triple-double in the Sixers prior game against the Raptors (18 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists), this may be the first of many triple-doubles for the Aussie.