“No idea, but I need to get back”: Ben Simmons opens up about his free throw troubles and how it cost the Sixers Game 5 against the Hawks

Sixers star Ben Simmons opens up about his abysmal free-throw shooting and how they have been affecting the entire team in crucial moments

The Philadelphia 76ers had Game 5 in their bag, or so one would assume when they saw the Sixers having a 26 point lead. However, Trae Young and the Hawks had a different plan. The young Hawks’ team came storming out in the second half, and thanks to a strong fourth quarter, stole the game away.

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Despite Joel Embiid going off for 37 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, and Seth Curry going off for 36 points, the Sixers could not seal the deal. Their other starters and the bench did not show up at all. On the other hand, Trae Young led the Hawks with his 39 points and 7 assists. Young had the help of three other Hawks players scoring in double digits. The Hawks’ bench outscored the Sixers bench 39-13, and that was a key factor to the Sixers’ loss.

Ben Simmons opens up about his woes from the charity stripe

Free throws, as the name suggests, are the foul line shots, that you can attempt without anyone contesting it. However, making free throws is not for everyone. There have been players who have been known to be terrible from the charity stripe. Ben Simmons is making his name on that list as well.

Not known for being a shooter, Ben Simmons has a career average of 59.7% from the charity stripe. However, these playoffs have been bad for him, as he has been shooting at an abysmal 32.8%. The Hawks applied the Hack-a-Shaq technique on him and edged their way back to the game.

After the game, Simmons opened up about his woes. The Australian PG is not sure but believes that it is all in his head.

Ben Simmons on the free throw issue: “Definitely I think mental.”

— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) June 17, 2021

Also Read: “If Ben Simmons can’t make his free throws, he’ll sit”: Doc Rivers breaks down exactly what fate his Sixers star will face if he continues his terrible free throw form

Upon being asked if he knows what may be the reason behind the same, Simmons said he had no idea.

Simmons asked why he thinks his free throw percentage has gone downhill: “No idea, but I need to get back. That’s on me.”

— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) June 17, 2021

These do not seem promising to hear, if you are a Sixers fan. The Sixers now head to Atlanta for a win-or-go-home Game 6, where they will try to force a Game 7. Game 6 of the series takes place on Friday.