Coming off the bench and impacting the game is something we normally associate with microwave scorers, getting buckets in bunches, but Philadelphia 76ers swingman Matisse Thybulle is changing the game on the other end of the floor at a historic level.
TAKEAWAYS: Simmons powers 76ers to 2-0 series lead
Thybulle, who along with Ben Simmons put the clamps on the Washington Wizards' perimeter players, played just under 20 minutes in Game 2 to finish with just five points, but recorded four steals and five blocks in the 120-95 win.
According to StatHead, the 6'5" guard is the first player in NBA history with four steals and five blocks in under 20 minutes of any game, regular season or postseason, and put his name alongside some elite company in the process.
Matisse Thybulle had 5 blocks and 4 steals tonight, becoming the 8th player to do so in the playoffs since 1983.
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 27, 2021
— Olajuwon (8)
— Ben Wallace (3)
— Draymond (2)
— Pippen
— Garnett
— Webber
— Kawhi
— Thybulle
He is the first to do it off the bench.
(Submitted by @SamHinkieKnew) pic.twitter.com/n9gcEY3JDW
“I guess you can say he’s our defensive Lou Williams,” head coach Doc Rivers said post-game.
“Like Lou Williams I had and I had Jamal Crawford, both offensively when you threw them in, and you told them if they pass the ball once you are going to take them out. Their job was to score. Matisse’s job is to get stops when he comes in. I haven’t had a lot of guys Tony Allen, I guess, way back, was very similar because he was coming off the bench for us.”
5⃣ BLOCKS from @MatisseThybulle as the @sixers take a 2-0 series lead! #HereTheyCome #NBAPlayoffs
— NBA (@NBA) May 27, 2021
Game 3: Saturday at 7pm/et on ESPN pic.twitter.com/LYAz8XnBg3
With his ability to disrupt the passing lanes and break up plays, the 6'5" guard is playing a crucial role in helping the 76ers turn defence into offence and get out in transition, whether it be alongisde starting point guard Ben Simmons or backup point guard Tyrese Maxey.
Led by Matisse Thybulle and Ben Simmons, these @sixers are ACTIVE on defense! 🤯#NBAPlayoffs on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/n5lgKyEaIj
— NBA (@NBA) May 27, 2021
Thybulle and Maxey combined in the second half with some impressive stretches, bringing energy and hustle to the second unit, with the rookie playmaker getting in on the act with three blocks himself, to go with 10 points in his 14 minutes.
"That's really our jobs. He brings it on the offensive end, I'm supposed to bring it on the defensive end," Thybulle said of his combination with Maxey.
"To be such a young player and to do it so consistently and at such a high level, says a lot about the player he is and the player he's going to be."
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