'Possessed' Ben Simmons in historic career-best NBA display
Ben Simmons has shot the most points by an Australian in an NBA game, but his 42-point haul came in a losing cause.
Simmons' stunning feat came as his Philadelphia Sixers went down to the Utah Jazz, 134-123.
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Simmons' haul ecplises the previous best by an Australian in the NBA - the 37-points scored by Aron Baynes for Phoenix last season.
Simmons was the nominal centre in a small lineup and the Australian responded to the challenge, going on a first-quarter rampage which reaped 19 points - his best haul in a quarter - as the Sixers took a 42-35 lead.
The 24-year-old eventually finished with 12 assists and nine boards to go with his 42 points on 15 of 26 shooting, and an impressive 12 of 13 from the free throw line.
It was the first 40-point double-double, with assists, by a Sixer since Allen Iverson did it in 2006.
Fun game, as Utah wins 134-123 and continues its hot streak. But while Philly has lost three in a row, a lot of positives to take away from this one — particularly the play of Ben Simmons, who finishes with a career-high 42 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) February 16, 2021
People say people flip flop on Ben Simmons
But Ben Simmons flip flops on Ben Simmons you see this first quarter where he scores 19 and looks possessed and go this should be his mentality every game instead of the games where it’s a struggle to even get 15— NBA Slime (@TerryFranconia) February 16, 2021
Whoa. Ben Simmons. Where has that been?
— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) February 16, 2021
Sixers lose to Utah, 134-123. That's a 1-3 road trip, although winning this game without Embiid was going to be pretty tough.
Big positive is Ben Simmons: 42 points, 12 assists and 9 rebounds. Had some trouble scoring down the stretch but one of the better games of his career.— Rich Hofmann (@rich_hofmann) February 16, 2021
Simmons joins Iverson, Hal Greer and Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in franchise history to complete the feat.
The Jazz, however, were not be denied.
Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz with 40 points while Donovan Mitchell contributed 24 points.
Strong day for Aussie NBA players
Simmons' Boomers teammate Patty Mills also had a big game, scoring 20 points, to go with three rebounds and five assists.
In New York, Julius Randle scored a season-high 44 points, making a career-best seven 3-pointers to lead the Knicks to their third straight victory, 123-112 over the slumping Atlanta Hawks.
The Washington Wizards beat the Houston Rockets 131-119 in John Wall's first game in Washington since being traded to Houston.
Zach LaVine led the Chicago Bulls to a 120-112 overtime victory over the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis.
The visiting Brooklyn Nets beat the Sacramento Kings 136-125 with Kyrie Irving contributing a game-high 40 points while Golden State Warriors beat Cleveland Cavaliers 129-98, with Steph Curry scoring 36 points.
In Los Angeles, the Clippers beat the Miami Heat 125-118 with Marcus Morris Snr finishing with 32 points.
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