BEN Simmons just made a statement.

The Australian point guard put forward one of the best individual performances of his young career, against the best player in the world, in the biggest game of the Philadelphia 76ers’ season.

He finished with a triple-double. LeBron James finished with a triple-double. But, when it was all said and done, Simmons was the one to lead his team to a big win; a 132-130 76ers win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Simmons came out of the gates as strong as ever, and continued his impressive play over the game, finishing with 27 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists, the 12th triple-double of his rookie year.

Wednesday September 23rd

The 76ers led by as many as 30 points in the second quarter, showing off the ball and player movement that’s become a staple over the course of their now-13-game winning streak, but the game tightened, thanks to the hot hand of a four-time MVP.

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James finished with 44 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists in the Cavaliers loss - 19 of those points came in a stunning third period, with the 33-year-old leading a comeback effort - but it wasn’t enough as the 76ers earned another impressive win at home.

“I’ve got so much respect for him [LeBron James],” Simmons said post-game.

“Probably one of the greatest players to ever play, if not the greatest. I’ve got so much respect for him.

“We just played as a team. Played our game. Didn’t let the hype bother us, and just stuck together.

“Tonight, I’m playing the best player to play the game, so that’s enough motivation right there. That’s where I wanna be one day.”

It was a win that marked the growth and maturity of this Sixers team, who at the start of the season, might have capitulated after losing their lead.

Instead, the 76ers made big shots down the stretch, keeping the on-fire tandem of James and Jeff Green — the latter dropping an unexpected 33 points — at a distance.

Without Joel Embiid — who sat with the team as his road to recovery continues — the Sixers had contributions from all over.

J.J. Redick finished with a team-high 28 points, and Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova provided the spark off the bench; the two European imports dropping 23 and 17 respectively.

The win means the 76ers (49-30) have improved to the third seed in the Eastern Conference, leapfrogging the Cavaliers (49-31), holding a half game lead over James’ team.

In an Eastern playoff race that’s considered as wide open as it has been in recent years, the 76ers are in a position to hold on to the third seed. Simmons and co. will face two lowly-ranked teams next - the Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks - before going up against the eight seed, the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Cavaliers have two games remaining in the season, both against the New York Knicks.

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