With the NBA in an indefinite hiatus due to COVID-19, we continue our day-by-day look back at the history of the Philadelphia 76ers. We continue down our path into Sixers history every day as we look to fill the void left by the absence of basketball.
We go back to the 2018 playoffs where the Sixers head into Game 4 down in South Beach looking to take a 3-1 stranglehold. The Miami Heat were a team filled with proven veterans who have seen all of this all before so this would be a test for the younger Sixers. So, they leaned on their rookie point guard to lead the way.
April 21, 2018
The energy in the American Airlines Arena was electric. The Heat knew they needed this one. Miami franchise icon Dwyane Wade was leading the team in the huddle and the team was ready for a battle. On the other side, the young Sixers had never been in this type of situation before, but they responded in a very impressive way led by Ben Simmons.
Simmons was terrific as he recorded 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists to record the first playoff triple-double by a rookie since Magic Johnson in 1980 to lead the Sixers to a 106-102 win over the Heat on the road. It was needed as the Sixers turned the ball over a ridiculous 27 times and they trailed by 12 in the third quarter. They then went on a 19-2 run to take control and then took the biggest punch Wade could throw at them to get it done.
JJ Redick led Philadelphia with 24 points, Joel Embiid had 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Dario Saric had 11 points and eight rebounds. All eyes were on Simmons though and he received a lot of love from his teammates.
Embiid told reporters postgame:
He’s a monster. I think that’s the first time the 76ers had a triple-double since Charles Barkley, and that’s big time. He was a beast tonight, and that’s why he’s the Rookie of the Year.
Simmons then reacted to his big night:
I figure that just means I’m doing my job. I think the stats I have averaged all season have been up there so I don’t think it’s anything new for the team or myself. As long as [we] are winning, I’m happy. All those accolades will come if we’re doing the right things.
The Sixers then returned home and finished off the Heat in Game 5. It was an impressive showing for a team that was earning their playoff stripes. [lawrence-related id=29741,29734,29726]