NBA 2021: Ben Simmons, triple-double record, John Wall, James Harden, Dante Exum shuts down Trae Young

Simmons has put up 29 triple-doubles in his common season profession and is racing up the leaderboard in file time, taking simply 223 video games to achieve the mark.

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Whereas Dallas Mavericks wunderkind Luka Doncic is seeking to eclipse Simmons’ file with 25 in his 138 recreation profession to date, it’s a shocking file for the Australian.

Solely Magic Johnson, who took 186 video games and introduced his twenty ninth up in 1982, and Oscar Robertson, who did it in 74 video games by 1961, have extra triple-doubles in much less time than Simmons.

Solely Russell Westbrook, LeBron James and Nikola Jokic have extra triple-doubles than Simmons for the reason that Aussie began his profession, however since Magic, Simmons 223 video games beats Jokic’s 310 video games, Grant Hill’s 336 video games, Jason Kidd’s 372 and LeBron James with 556 video games.

Westbrook took 570 video games to get 29 triple doubles however exploded after that and has now tallied 150 in his profession.

Simmons stated the 76ers are growing right into a handful for any workforce.

“You see the best way we’ve been enjoying, we like to maneuver the ball, share it, it doesn’t matter who will get the ball within the recreation by way of the factors, however once we play like that it’s robust,” he stated.

He added that the addition of shooters on the perimeter has helped the aspect with all of the gamers shopping for in.

Simmons had 15 factors 12 rebounds and 11 assists whereas Joel Embiid added 19 factors and 14 boards, whereas Tobias Harris’ 24 factors and Seth Curry’s 21 had been the choose of the 76ers.

Simmons is getting the connection going together with his new teammates as effectively with Curry dishing a no look alley-oop to Simmons for a dunk.

Earlier than the sport, Simmons gave the credit score all to new coach Doc Rivers who has freed him as much as play as he likes.

Rivers has been dismissive of any of the discuss round Simmons’ soar shot this season and regardless of hitting a 3 in his final recreation, has stated it doesn’t matter.

“I believe that’s the great factor with Doc, he permits me to make the correct reads,” Simmons stated.

“He’s gonna inform me if there’s a sure spot he thinks I ought to get to. If I don’t do one thing whether or not it’s minimize or slash, or simply spacing-wise. I believe I’ve that freedom.”

WALL DOES IT WITHOUT HARDEN

John Wall delivered a game-high 28 factors because the Houston Rockets received their second straight recreation over the Sacramento Kings 102-94, regardless of enjoying with out NBA all-star James Harden.

Eric Gordon changed Harden and scored 21 factors, whereas Christian Wooden completed with 20 factors and 15 rebounds for the Rockets, who additionally beat the Kings 122-119 on New Yr’s Eve.

‘‘I simply put in lots of laborious work and dedication to get thus far,” Wall stated. ‘‘I couldn’t ask for a greater begin to be 2-0 in my first two video games.”

It should give Rockets followers some pleasure understanding the aspect may very well be OK with out Harden because the commerce discuss continues.

Harden had 33 factors within the New Yr’s Eve recreation however was a late scratch Saturday. The disgruntled American, who has requested for a commerce, sat out with a sore ankle, though he has not been positioned on the harm checklist.

With out Harden, Wall carried the offensive load for the Rockets. He had missed their first two video games of the brand new season due to COVID-19 restrictions and was out all of final season due to accidents.

Sterling Brown got here off the bench to attain 11 factors within the win. Rockets coach Stephen Silas stated he’s pleasantly stunned with the quick impression from Wall.

“No matter expectations I had, he’s clearly exceeded them,” he stated.

The Rockets seized their first double-digit lead of the sport, 92-81, early within the fourth quarter when David Nwaba and Gordon drained again to again threes.

The Kings received to 92-83 with simply over eight minutes left, however then chilly taking pictures and turnovers resulted in them going scoreless for 5 minutes.

De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 23 factors, whereas Buddy Hield chipped in 17 factors within the loss.

— AFP

DANTE EXUM COMES UP BIG

The Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Younger is likely one of the NBA’s most enjoyable skills however Aussie star Dante Exum has proven the way to shut the younger gun down.

His Cleveland Cavaliers are fourth within the Japanese Convention having a 4-2 file however claimed a large scalp towards the Hawks.

Whereas Exum had simply six factors and 5 rebounds in 35 minutes on the ground, the 96-91 win was arrange as he shut down Younger.

Younger averages 28.2 factors for the season in addition to 8.3 assists however he was stored to 16 factors and 10 assists.

Cleveland even needed to battle again from 15 factors down midway by means of the third quarter, earlier than outscoring the Hawks 26-17 to return excessive of the Hawks.

Cavs star Larry Nance Jr. was blown away by the workforce’s defence.

“They put up 35 on us within the first quarter after which for the remainder of the three quarters of the sport, for 36 minutes of basketball, we held them to 53 factors,” he stated. “That’s unparalleled. That’s unparalleled. Like we hold saying, that’s what we gotta dangle our hats on each night time. Should you play defence, there’s no recreation you’re out of.”

However social media was behind Exum’s efficiency.

Initially printed as ‘HoF trajectory’: Simmons’ 39-year first