Aussie basketball superstar Ben Simmons stuns the world with his FIRST three-pointer in the NBA
- Australian basketballer Ben Simmons scored his first NBA three-pointer
- His team The Philadelphia 76ers beat the New York Knicks 109-104
- Sixers fans believe Simmons’s outside shooting will be key to championships
Australian basketball star Ben Simmons scored his first three-pointer in an NBA game.
The NBA All-Star delighted fans and his Philadelphia 76ers team-mates on Wednesday night when he sank the shot in the first quarter, playing against the New York Knicks.
It was his first successful three-pointer in 194 NBA regular season and playoff games – an astonishing statistic for a modern day All-Star point forward with Simmons’ talent.
Simmons’ shot was the top trending topic on Twitter within minutes.
The Aussie, who is well known for dating Kendall Jenner, said in an on-court interview after the game that he had been ‘repping’ the shot in practice.
‘It felt good,’ he said.
‘I just like to come out here and play.’
Simmons’s team won 109-104.
They overcame a 17-point third-quarter deficit to beat the Knicks with Mike Scott and Joel Embiid hitting three-pointers in the final minutes to give the hosts the win.
It took Philadelphia a late 22-5 run to catch up and then outlast the Knicks.
Simmons, who had 18 points, seven rebounds, 13 assists, one steal and one block, did not try another three-pointer.
Sixers fans have been desperate for Simmons to develop an outside shooting game – a likely key to them winning the Eastern Conference and playing for a championship.
Simmons is also known for having dated model Kendall Jenner (pictured together)
Philadelphia’s had early playoff exits the first two years of Simmons’ NBA career as opposing teams hung off the Australian because they knew he was reluctant to shoot.
Simmons was the top pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, was Rookie of the Year in 2017-18, an All-Star last season and is an elite defender and scorer close to the basket with spectacular dunks the norm.
He has only attempted 18 three-pointers in regular season and playoff games and missed all of them until Wednesday.
The Knicks left Simmons open in a corner and he stepped up and confidently sank it.
Sixers fans were hoping a three-pointer Simmons hit in an exhibition game against China’s visiting Guangzhou Loong-Lions on October 8 would boost his confidence but it took another 14 games for the elusive long bomb to drop.
All-Star Simmons (pictured right) scored his first NBA three-pointer in victory game against the New York Knicks