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Trendon Watford makes history in first 76ers start
Philadelphia 76ers forward Trendon Watford. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Trendon Watford makes all kinds of cool history in first 76ers start

Philadelphia 76ers forward Trendon Watford had the best game of his five-year NBA career on Saturday after he recorded his first triple-double in the team's 130-120 win over the Toronto Raptors.

Watford was inserted into the starting lineup for the first time this season in place of Jabari Walker, who had started the last four games, and he took full advantage of his opportunity.

The 25-year-old finished the game with 20 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists and shot an efficient 8-of-10 from the field. His rebounds and assists were both career highs, as well as game highs.

Trendon Watford made history in multiple ways

Watford joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only 76ers players to record 20-plus points, 15-plus rebounds, 10-plus assists and shoot 80%. 

He also became the first undrafted 76ers player with a triple-double since T.J. McConnell who did it in 2018.

Coming into the game, Watford had career averages of 7.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game, but in his first year with the 76ers, he is now averaging 10.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 22.3 minutes per game.

After this performance, it'll be tough for head coach Nick Nurse to take Watford out of the starting five for the foreseeable future until Paul George gets healthy.

Chris Tulp

Chris Tulp is a sportswriter who started his writing career covering the NBA. He then wrote for FIBA, covering numerous international events and leagues and even attended the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 in Jakarta, Indonesia. He brings niche knowledge of global players, both playing domestically and overseas

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