Mills, Simmons make Aussie hoops history as scoring leaders in Spurs-76ers clash

It was just another day in the NBA, but Australians set a new scoring high yesterday, combining for 86 points in total.

As pointed out by Tom Read, Ben Simmons scored 26 points, along with veteran Patty Mills, who also tied the day with 26 of his own. The rest of the Aussie contingent chipped in (Thon Maker 12, Matthew Dellavedova 8, Joe Ingles 8, Aron Baynes 6) and broke the previous Australian scoring record of 66 points last year.

Simmons and Mills also became the first ever Australians to lead both sides in scoring in an NBA game. Led by Simmons, the Philadelphia 76ers won this matchup 112-106 against an undermanned San Antonio Spurs squad, closing the final quarter out 24-22.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5bge1oHb34

Simmons, who played nearly 34 minutes, made 8 of 18 attempts, and hit 10 of 15 free throws to clock 26 points, along with 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 1 block (box score).

Mills on the other hand, played heavy minutes off the bench, clocking 28:58 on the court, and hit 7 of 17 from the field, including 4 of 11 from the three-point line. He also led the Spurs in three-point attempts, as well as free throw attempts (8 of 8 made). As pointed out by @NBLfacts on Twitter, Mills has been known to go off on the road, with 12 of his career scoring games all on away games.

Ben Simmons has been making a strong statement in what has been his debut season in the NBA. With veterans like Mills and Ingles, who are both holding stable roles in their respective teams, and Maker's growing chemistry with Dellavedova, it wouldn't surprise anyone, should the Aussie scoring record to be broken once more this season.

The Boomers' campaign for Tokyo 2020 certainly looks brighter, with every day that passes.