Ben Simmons has led the Philadelphia 76ers to their first regular season win with a history-making triple-double that places him alongside basketball greats Oscar Robertson and Charles Barkley in the NBA history books.
The 21-year-old from Melbourne, in just his fourth NBA game, was superb with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in the 97-86 win against the Detroit Pistons.
The Australian shrugged off the personal accolades and focused on his team's maiden win.
"It feels great that we won," Simmons said.
"Our team played well together and we played the right way.
"I'm just happy we got our first one."
The 76ers, despite high expectations, opened the NBA regular season with losses in their first three games.
Simmons and centre Joel Embiid, with 30 points and nine rebounds, were too strong for a Pistons squad that falls to a two-win, two-loss season record.
Just two other players, Robertson and Art "Hambone" Williams, have achieved triple-doubles in their first four games.
Simmons also became the first player to achieve the feat in Detroit's new Little Caesars Arena and became the first 76ers rookie since Michael Carter-Williams to post a triple-double.
He also became the first 76ers player since Barkley in 1987 to shoot more than 70 per cent from the field in a triple-double with eight of his 11 shots successful.
Share
