They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, but this heave from Sixers All-Star Ben Simmons, a 24-foot corner jumper against Orlando, was worth three points.
Cosmo Kramer might call it a “Festivus Miracle.” Simmons snuck it in just before the buzzer too, connecting on his first and only three-pointer of 2020. Prior to that, Simmons hadn’t drained a three since December 7, 2019. That’s a drought of 390 days without a trifecta. In fact, the 6’10” point guard hadn’t even attempted a shot from that distance since August 5th, his final game in the Orlando Bubble.
The 24-year-old’s woes from beyond the arc are well-documented. Thursday’s snipe from long range marked just the third three-pointer of his NBA career on 25 lifetime attempts (12 percent).
Three-point escapades aside, Simmons flirted with a triple double in the victory over Orlando (nine points, 10 rebounds, eight assists), the Magic’s first loss of the week-old 2020-21 NBA season. Orlando at 4-0 had been the league’s last unbeaten team.
Former 76ers No. 1 pick and recent recipient of a three-year, $50-million contract extension Markelle Fultz struggled against his old team, contributing nine points on anemic 4-of-11 shooting in the losing effort. Meanwhile Dwight Howard, Orlando’s all-time leader in points, rebounds and blocked shots, chipped in with seven points (none prettier than the two he registered on this dunk), five boards and a three-pointer of his own in 14 minutes off the Sixers’ bench.
Philadelphia will stage its first game of the new year Saturday when the Hornets visit Wells Fargo.
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