In Ben Simmons' first NBA playoffs, he's putting up numbers matched by only a few of the game's greatest players as rookies.

Simmons had a triple-double in the 76ers' 106-102 win over the Heat Saturday, with 17 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. That's the first triple-double by a rookie in the NBA playoffs since Magic Johnson in 1980. It's also the first triple-double by a 76ers player in the playoffs since Charles Barkley pulled the feat in 1991.

If being mentioned in the same breath as Magic Johnson isn't impressive enough, consider this: Simmons had 60 points, 30 rebounds and 29 assists in the 76ers' first three playoff games. The only other player in NBA history with at least 60 points, 25 rebounds and 25 assists after three career playoff games? Oscar Robertson.

Three other NBA players have posted triple-doubles as rookies: Lew Alcindor, who later changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, in 1970, Jerry Lucas (1964) and Tom Gola (1956).

It's not like Simmons' play in leading the 76ers to a 3-1 lead over the Heat is a total shock. The presumptive NBA Rookie of the Year averaged 15.8 points, 8.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds per game this season. But he's put up even better numbers in the playoffs (19.3 pgg, 10.8 rpg, 9.3 apg).

"He's very tough physically but he's even tougher mentally," 76ers guard JJ Redick said after Game 4. "The last four games have been as vocal and demonstrative as I've seen him all season, he's been fantastic. He's coming out of his shell in regards to leadership and that's huge for us."

Heat star Dwyane Wade has an unusual perspective on Simmons. He recalls how Simmons, who played high school basketball in Florida, watched Wade and fellow Heat star LeBron James, and soaked in the experience.

“You could see the way he looked at guys like ourselves and how we worked. He was taking notes, mental notes,” Wade said before Game 4 (via NBA.com).

“To see him a few years later, and see where he is in his game and the effect on a state and a city to play the game of basketball on such a high level, it’s impressive.”

76ers coach Brett Brown praised both Simmons and 76ers center Joel Embiid (14 points,12 rebounds) after Saturday's game.

"I think that those two players have the chance to be great … and they are ours," Brown said. "They're fantastic teammates, they coexist well. … How do you grow those two guys together? They need each other, and they understand that."