With the departure of Damian Lillard, a lot was expected of Anfernee Simons this season. The back had been gaining strength for two years and this 2023/24 financial year could be that of his takeover in Oregon.
But he had the worst start: an injury in the first match. Against the Clippers, he tore a ligament in his right thumb. Result: six weeks in the infirmary. The Portland player therefore made his return against the Warriors on Wednesday evening, with 28 points.
“I think he was good, especially after being away for so long,” commented his coach Chauncey Billups for The Oregonian. “He was in rhythm. Afterwards, obviously, we need him to take shots. »
An interesting recovery
His 6/13 at 3-points was clean but does not make us forget his overall performance, at 10/27 on the shoot. As he only had one match in his legs and several weeks behind the competition, it is normal to have lacked precision.
“I just wanted to play and fight, like they did while I was away. Overall, I think I did pretty good,” he judges himself. “There are two or three actions that I would have liked to play better, that’s for sure. Good shots that didn't fall in. But, basically, I think I had the right rhythm and took good shots. »
Proof that Anfernee Simons had legs? His playing time: 37 minutes. That's a lot for a player who hasn't really started his season. But the back wanted to stay on the floor as long as possible.
“The coach wanted to take me out for a second, but I was fine,” he explains. “I think I did not too bad. I wasn't exhausted until the last minute of the match. »
| Anfernee Simons | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | POR | 20 | 7 | 44.4 | 34.5 | 56.3 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 3.8 |
| 2019-20 | POR | 70 | 21 | 39.9 | 33.2 | 82.6 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 8.3 |
| 2020-21 | POR | 64 | 17 | 41.9 | 42.6 | 80.7 | 0.2 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 7.8 |
| 2021-22 | POR | 57 | 30 | 44.3 | 40.5 | 88.8 | 0.5 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 17.3 |
| 2022-23 | POR | 62 | 35 | 44.7 | 37.7 | 89.4 | 0.3 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 4.1 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 21.1 |
| 2023-24 | POR | 2 | 32 | 39.0 | 42.1 | 100.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 23.0 |
| Total | 275 | 24 | 43.2 | 38.7 | 85.8 | 0.3 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 12.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
