76ers guard Anfernee Simons scores 13 off bench in debut win over Knicks
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The gist
76ers guard Anfernee Simons scored 13 points in 25 minutes as Philadelphia beat the Knicks 106-100.
He had missed all four preseason games with hamstring trouble before this first outing.
Background
Anfernee Simons is a 27-year-old veteran guard who signed with the Philadelphia 76ers as a free agent in the offseason. He had yet to appear in a preseason or regular-season game for the team, sitting out all four preseason games while recovering from a hamstring injury. Philadelphia expects him to provide scoring off the bench behind starters Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
How it unfolded
- Sep 28, 2026Simons posed for a portrait during 76ers media day at the team's training complex in Camden, New Jersey.
- Oct 18, 2026Simons took part in Sunday's practice, according to an NBA.com update.
- Oct 19, 2026Simons was listed as questionable with left hamstring tightness and soreness on the NBA injury report ahead of the October 20 game at Madison Square Garden.
- Oct 20, 2026Simons was available and made his 76ers debut off the bench against the Knicks.
- Oct 20, 2026In the 106-100 win over New York, Simons finished with 13 points (5-10 FG, 3-8 3Pt) and two rebounds in 25 minutes with no turnovers, as the team's fourth-leading scorer.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Coach Nick Nurse indicated Simons is the preferred reserve guard when healthy, with Labaron Philon Jr. entering the rotation if Simons sits.
- Caution
- Simons was uncertain to play Tuesday because of the hamstring issue but played through it.
Still unverified
Sources differ on which hamstring was affected: the NBA's October 19 injury report cited left hamstring tightness and soreness, while RotoBaller described a right hamstring issue. Simons himself told reporters, "I can't confirm or deny that" when asked about his availability.