Sports

Simons’ Debut Highlights Sixers’ Need for Bench Scoring

By Paul Hudrick

Anfernee Simons’ first game with the Philadelphia 76ers came on opening night against the defending champion New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. He finished 5‑of‑10 from the field and 3‑of‑8 from three for 13 points in a narrow win. The Sixers signed Simons for his shooting and scoring ability, hoping he can provide spacing and a scoring punch off the bench.

Simons missed almost all of training camp and did not play in any preseason games. In his next three games he struggled, going 3‑of‑21 from the field and 2‑of‑13 from three. After practice on Tuesday, he explained how he works out of a shooting slump: “I think it just depends on like the time of the season. It’s early, so I’m able to do a little bit more. Usually, if I’m struggling for a couple games, I might just want to go out on the court and see the ball go through the hoop a whole bunch of times. So I might get a whole bunch of reps in. Or just do 30 minutes, kind of a hard workout, just to feel back in the rhythm.”

That approach paid off on Wednesday when Simons scored 20 points in a 114‑109 win over the Indiana Pacers, hitting six triples. The Sixers have only had two bench players score 20 or more points with six or more threes in the 2025‑26 season.

Simons’ shooting was critical in a game where the rest of the team struggled from beyond the arc. All other Sixers combined for 7‑of‑26 from three, while Simons’ triples helped secure the victory. Joel Embiid praised the value of a dynamic shooter, noting that his most efficient offensive performance of the season came while Simons was hot.

Simons’ contract includes a player option for the 2027‑28 season, so a strong showing could lead to a significant payday. The Sixers have shot 32.6% from three overall, a weakness that the team hopes shooters like Simons, Dean Wade, and Kentavious Caldwell‑Pope can help address. Simons said he expects to become more comfortable with his shot selection as the season progresses, which should help him contribute consistently.

The Sixers will rely on Simons’ ability to swing games when he is productive, as the team looks to improve its three‑point shooting and overall offensive efficiency.