NBA Daily: Ben Simmons shine for 76ers, Luka Doncic decimates Warriors
Talking points from an eventful Wednesday night of NBA action
The hype around Luka Doncic is certainly justified! The Slovenian played for only 25 minutes against the Warriors yet came finished the match a triple-double adding fuel to the growing belief the 21-year-old will become the next Lebron James. Doncic scored 33 of his 35 points in the first half and had yet another triple-double to help Dallas Maverics beat Golden State comfortably.To put things into perspective,the Doncic had 22 points, five assists and five rebounds in the first quarter. He played only 25 minutes total, but still managed 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
Washington Wizards secured a big win against struggling San Antonio Spurs while big Ben Simmons hit a 3-pointer (his first ever) as Philadelphia 76ers overcame the New York Knicks challenge.
Stand up for the next LeBron folks!
The Luka Doncic Show continued to roll on Wednesday night as the budding young Dallas Mavericks star dominated the Golden State Warriors to the tune of 35 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
Luka Magic ✨
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) November 21, 2019
Doncic becomes the first player to record a 35-point triple-double in under 25 minutes. pic.twitter.com/tIS6IWxvvt
In addition to pumping up his already-ridiculous season averages to even dizzier heights (29.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 9.4 assists), Doncic’s seventh triple-double in 14 games set a handful of impressive statistical milestones. Surely the LeBron comparisons are now justified?
At 20 years-265 days old, Luka Doncic also became the youngest player with consecutive 35-point triple-doubles. Oscar Robertson was the previous youngest at 22 years-34 days old in December 1960. Furthermore, Doncic has reached 300 Pts, 100 Rebponds, and 100 Assists over his last 10 games, making him the 5th player in NBA history to average a 30-point triple-double over any 10-game span. The others - LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Michael Jordan, and Oscar Robertson. Elite category!
The Simmons show
Ben Simmons hit the first 3-pointer of his career and had 18 points and 13 assists to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 109-104 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. Mike Scott’s fourth 3-pointer of the game with 1:29 left stretched the Sixers’ lead to 99-95, and they held on after New York’s Marcus Morris hit a pair of 3s in the final 10 seconds.
Ben Simmons lets it fly from 3-point land! #PhilaUnite
— NBA (@NBA) November 21, 2019
Watch Live: https://t.co/IzTN6Aj2La pic.twitter.com/s1xXPA42XO
Joel Embiid had 23 points and 13 rebounds, and Scott scored 12 points. Simmons did the improbable when he fired a 24-footer from the corner in front of the 76ers’ bench, sending the crowd into a frenzy. He also received a lengthy standing ovation for the first 3-pointer after 17 misses (and one more miss in the postseason). Morris led the Knicks with 22 points.
Sad Antonio Spurs
Bradley Beal shot 9 for 9 in a 21-point third quarter and finished with 33 points to help Washington hand visiting San Antonio its seventh consecutive loss. This is Spurs' longest losing streak since Gregg Popovich's first season in 1996-97.
Davis Bertans, acquired by Washington from San Antonio in the offseason, scored 21 points, as did Ish Smith. DeMar DeRozan scored 31 points for San Antonio.
In a way, the Spurs had it coming. It is a team caught in between two worlds -- Youthful exuberance and veteran realism struggling to find a middle-path. It is criminal to write off a Greg Popovich team in the NBA but this Spurs team needs a fresh perspective!
(With inputs from the NBA)