Anfernee Simons Ignites Off the Bench, Raises Questions for Celtics’ Trade Plans
On a night when the Celtics needed a spark, Anfernee Simons delivered an inferno.
Simons came off the bench Thursday and lit up the Miami Heat for 39 points in a 119-114 win, including a blistering 18 in the fourth quarter. He knocked down seven threes and took over the closing duties in a way that left teammates and fans alike shaking their heads in appreciation.
“He definitely was in that mode tonight where you just get him the ball and get out of the way,” said Sam Hauser. “Let him be special.”
Jaylen Brown, typically Boston’s go-to closer, didn’t mind stepping aside. He had nothing but praise for Simons after the performance.
“That boy can play,” Brown said. “He’s probably more talented than the role he’s placed in.
I think that’s kind of obvious. But I’ve got hella respect for him-he comes out, plays winning basketball, does what the team needs every night.
No complaints, just good energy and positive contributions.”
That kind of endorsement from a team leader says a lot. And so does the performance itself.
When Simons was acquired from Portland, there were valid questions about whether his high-scoring game could translate to winning basketball. In Portland, he put up numbers, but the team rarely won. Now, in Boston’s system, with a defined role and a clear team identity, Simons is starting to show he’s more than just a volume scorer-he’s a difference-maker.
And that’s where things get interesting for the Celtics.
Boston has been rumored to be shopping for frontcourt help ahead of the trade deadline. But with Simons showing this kind of upside, the calculus may be shifting. If he keeps playing like this, moving him becomes a tougher sell-unless the return is a long-term impact player who clearly raises the team’s ceiling.
Around the Atlantic: Barrett Progressing, Bridges Struggling, McCain Searching
RJ Barrett Nearing Return for Raptors
The Raptors have been without RJ Barrett for four games due to an ankle injury, but there’s good news on the horizon. Barrett has resumed on-court work and is reportedly practicing with intensity, showing no signs of favoring the ankle.
While he’s not quite ready to return, the expectation is that he’ll be back sometime during Toronto’s current five-game road trip. That’s a welcome development for a team still trying to find its rhythm after midseason roster changes.
Mikal Bridges’ Fourth-Quarter Fade Hurting Knicks
The Knicks' recent slide has a few culprits, but one glaring issue has been Mikal Bridges’ struggles in crunch time.
Despite logging the most fourth-quarter minutes on the team, Bridges is averaging just 3.5 points in those frames, shooting only 42.4%-a steep drop from his 55.2% efficiency in first halves. He’s also not getting to the line, which is a concern for a player expected to bring some physicality to the wing.
Most notably, when Jalen Brunson has been out, Bridges hasn’t been able to step up as a secondary or tertiary creator. In five games without Brunson, Bridges is averaging 17.8 points, and the Knicks are 1-4 in that stretch.
Last season, similar questions were raised about his ability to elevate his game when needed. He answered them in the playoffs. Now, the Knicks are hoping history repeats itself.
Jared McCain Sent to G League Amid Shooting Woes
Second-year guard Jared McCain is looking to rediscover his rhythm-and he’ll be doing it in the G League.
The Sixers assigned McCain to the Delaware Blue Coats after he struggled to carve out a consistent role in Nick Nurse’s rotation. His shooting numbers have taken a significant dip from his rookie season, dropping to 35.4% from the field and 32.3% from deep.
The goal, according to Nurse, is simple: get McCain minutes and let him find his comfort zone. But his first outing in Delaware didn’t exactly inspire confidence. McCain scored 15 points on 5-of-18 shooting, hit just two of nine threes, and recorded six turnovers without an assist.
It’s a rough patch for a player who showed promise early on, but development isn’t always linear. The Sixers are hoping that with time, reps, and less pressure, McCain can get back to being the efficient, confident scorer they saw flashes of last season.
Bottom Line
Anfernee Simons’ breakout game might be just one night, but it’s the kind of performance that forces front offices to take a longer look at their trade plans. Meanwhile, RJ Barrett’s return could give the Raptors a needed boost, Mikal Bridges has to find his late-game gear if the Knicks want to stay in the hunt, and Jared McCain is trying to rebuild his game from the ground up.
The Atlantic Division has no shortage of storylines-and as we approach the trade deadline, the pressure’s only going to mount.