Anfernee Simons’ tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers began with more than a few questions. Missing nearly all of training camp and sitting out every preseason game, his first outing came not on a practice court but under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden—a Warriors game where the Sixers faced the defending champion Knicks on opening night.

In that debut, Simons showed flashes of why Philadelphia acquired him: 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-8 from three, and a chemistry with the starters that hinted at future potential. But the early-season roller coaster was yet to come. Over the next three games, his form dipped precipitously—3-of-21 shooting overall, with just 2-of-13 from beyond the arc—raising concerns about his ability to adapt so quickly to a new system.

Speaking after practice on Tuesday, Simons acknowledged the reality of his rough start: “It just depends on the time of season. It’s early, so I’m able to do a little bit more.” He explained his approach to getting back on track—either by hitting a flurry of shots in a single session or taking a rigorous 30-minute workout to rebuild rhythm. “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.”

His efforts paid off in Wednesday’s game against the Indiana Pacers. With Philadelphia’s offense sputtering, Simons erupted for 20 points—including six three-pointers—helping the Sixers pull out a 114-109 victory. The performance wasn’t just a personal rebound; it was a team necessity. In a matchup where the Sixers shot just 32.6% from three as a team, Simons’ 6-of-11 from deep accounted for nearly half of their total makes.

“We added a few guys this summer,” Embiid said postgame about the Pacers win. “But he was probably the one I was most excited about because I just love that type of dynamic shooter.” Joel Embiid, who thrived alongside elite shooters like JJ Redick and Seth Curry, sees Simons as another weapon in his offensive arsenal—one capable of spacing the floor and punishing defenses stretched too far.

Embiid’s own performance that night—his most efficient offensive outing of the season—lends credence to the theory. When Simons is hitting, the entire team flows better, and Embiid’s presence in the paint creates driving lanes for perimeter players. The dynamic is reminiscent of his New Orleans days, when he dominated alongside Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield.

Despite acquiring Simons, the Sixers rank among the league’s worst teams in three-point shooting at 32.6%. Yet Simons, along with Dean Wade and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, has emerged as an outlier in that department. The trio has collectively shot significantly better than the team average, underscoring the need for more players to step up when the stars don’t light up the scoreboard.

Tyrese Maxey’s late-game triples against the Spurs further highlight this trend. Even in games where the starters struggle, bench production from shooters like Simons has become the difference-maker—a trait the Sixers have lacked in recent years. As Embiid put it, “You need guys who can create for themselves and others. Simons gives us that.”

Simons’ contract includes a player option for the 2027-28 season, meaning a strong first year could secure him a lucrative extension. For now, though, the focus remains on building chemistry and finding consistency. “I’ll be able to get comfortable with what type of shots I’ll get on a game-to-game basis,” he said. “Just get comfortable with those looks, and so I think it’s gonna come in time.”

The early volatility might be the price of admission for a team juggling new additions, an aging emphatized core, and the relentless demands of Eastern Conference competition. But if Simons continues to find his rhythm—like he did in the Pacers game—the Sixers could find themselves in the conversation for a top playoff seed.