Philadelphia 76ers rookie Matisse Thybulle became the 18th player in the NBA to record 60 steals this season on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Lakers.
One of those was off of The King.
Thybulle registered three steals alone in the first quarter with his first occurring just two minutes into the game after he poked the ball loose from LeBron James to create a fastbreak opportunity for the Sixers.
The first-round pick has emerged as a strong defender in his rookie campaign as he leads all rookie players in steals and entered Saturday night tied for 18th among all players with 1.5 steals per game.
No one is safe from that defense…
📺 @ABCNetwork pic.twitter.com/J6vrE5Xkm9
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 26, 2020
After he picked up his first career steal against James, fans immediately took to Twitter to praise the rookie. Thybulle has emerged as a fan favorite given his defensive prowess and outgoing personality off of the court.
Matisse Thybulle is giving Bron problems
— Geralt Of Rivia 🐺 (@Tayovelli) January 26, 2020
Getting to watch Matisse Thybulle in an NBA Saturday Primetime game – and then seeing him swipe the ball from Lebron – is so awesome
— Dylan Jenkins (@THEDeeJenks) January 26, 2020
Matisse Thybulle is easily my favorite @sixers 👏🏻👍🏻 #PhilaUnite
— Alyssa Miller (@_alyssamiller) January 26, 2020
i would die for matisse thybulle
— b dougherty (@CrossoverDoc) January 26, 2020
Matisse switches onto LeBron for about 3 seconds…
The first 3 seconds he's had on the King in his career…
And pokes it away for a turnover.
THIS. IS. OUR. ROOKIE.
— Lauren Rosen (@LaurenMRosen) January 26, 2020
Matisse Thybulle against Lebron tonight pic.twitter.com/i3LqzFMj2B
— Sean 🥰 (RUGGS TO EAGLES SZN) (@SMGPhilly) January 26, 2020
Matisse Thybulle is a defensive wizard bruh
— Joe Cuervo (@joe_cuervo) January 26, 2020
Brett needs to put @MatisseThybulle back in… he was frustrating the hell out of LeBron, causing all those turnovers #sixers
— Carly Jones (@carlylynnjones) January 26, 2020
Matisse Thybulle is a dawggg on defense
— President of the Yelyah/Taysom/Caruso fan club (@kevinterstellar) January 26, 2020
Thybulle would go onto finish the game with a career-high five steals in the win over the Lakers. He also added six points, one rebound and one assist in 34 minutes of work.
The Sixers return to action on Tuesday vs. the Golden State Warriors.
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