Sixers rookie Ben Simmons notches triple-double in fourth NBA game

It didn’t take Ben Simmons long to notch his first career triple-double.

The 6-foot-10 Philadephia 76ers rookie had 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists as the 76ers beat the Detroit Pistons 97-86 on Monday night. Joel Embiid scored 30 points in the Sixers’ win.

“It’s awesome to have a triple-double, but at the same time, it’s even better to have a win,” Simmons said.

Simmons is the first Australian to have a triple double in the NBA although Andrew Bogut got close, according to The Age of Australia.

Per ESPN, Simmons is the first rookie since Shaquille O’Neal to post four straight double-doubles to start their NBA career.

Ben Simmons is the first player since Shaquille O’Neal to record a double-double in each of his first 4 career games. pic.twitter.com/E6nRxE9CTY
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 24, 2017

Photo: ESPN

Written by Adam Zagoria

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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.