Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid found a somewhat unexpected comparison for Trendon Watford after the forward posted a triple-double in Saturday’s 130-120 win over the Toronto Raptors.

Embiid told reporters that Watford “reminded me of Ben Simmons tonight.”

“That was good, he said. “We miss those. Triple double, doing everything, so that was good.”

Watford made the most of his first starting opportunity this year. He finished with 20 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in 37 minutes.

Embiid and Simmons didn’t end things on good terms in 2022, and they generally failed to build a strong rapport despite each being a franchise cornerstone for Philly.

Still, Embiid can recognize the value Simmons provided on the court when he was at his peak and made three straight All-Star teams. The way in which Watford did a little bit of everything was reminiscent of the Australian standout.

Sixers star Tyrese Maxey echoed Embiid’s praise of Watford.

“It’s really cool, honestly. Blessed,” he said, per Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia. “For me to be able to actually give him the game ball for a triple-double, it’s something we’ll probably remember for a long time. Hopefully, we get to play with each other for a while.

“I’m just proud of him, man. I know what he can do. I talk trash to him all the time, but I know what he’s capable of. That’s who he is and I don’t really expect anything less of that caliber of player. So hopefully, he keeps it up.”

Head coach Nick Nurse called Watford a “hooper.”

“He really knows how to play and he can do a lot of different things,” Nurse said. “His instincts are just so good.”

The Sixers took a flier on Watford, signing him to a two-year, $5.3 million contract. He averaged 10.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in 44 appearances with the Brooklyn Nets.

As an NBA player, Watford’s biggest claim to fame might be the Summer League title he won with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2022. The 25-year-old was the MVP of the championship game after scoring 19 points and grabbing seven boards.

Everyone knows the book on Philadelphia as a title contender at this point. So much hinges on the health of Embiid and Paul George, the latter still recovering from offseason knee surgery. The 76ers need the supporting cast to step up as well.

He’s obviously not going to put up a triple-double in every game moving forward. Watford at least emerging as a steady forward option in the starting lineup is the kind of welcome surprise that can boost the team’s championship quest.