This just in: Ben Simmons has made a three-pointer.Four minutes into the Philadelphia 76ersā road matchup against the Orlando Magic on Thursday, the Sixers star took a pass from Joel Embiid and confidently stepped into an in-rhythm three from the left corner.
As the Sixers bench collectively rose out of their seats, Simmons swished home the triple to give Philly an early 12-9 lead at Amway Arena.
šØBen Simmons knocks down a 3-pointeršØpic.twitter.com/KR2G0mN8mg
ā ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 31, 2020
The corner bucket marked just the third career three-pointer for the fourth-year pro (not including 2017-18, which he missed due to injury). As Uproxx noted, it was Simmons' first made three-pointer since Dec. 7, 2019.
Simmons is now 3-for-26 for his career from deep, including one attempt in the playoffs.
The two-time All-Star entered Thursday averaging 14.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and six assists per game through four games this season. He shot 50% from the field through four games, but just 58.6% from the free-throw line.
On Wednesday, 76ers head coach Doc Rivers insisted that he remains unconcerned about the state of Simmons' perimeter shooting.
āI could care less,ā the coach said after the Sixers' win over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, via SI. āIāll let you guys talk about what Ben doesnāt do. I just want Ben to keep playing great defense, running our team, and winning games.ā
āI want to win,ā Rivers added. āSomeone taught me this long ago; you win the game. You keep winning games, and you donāt worry about who scores.ā
The Sixers (3-1) are hoping to hand the Magic (4-0) their first loss of the season on New Year's Eve.
