The Boston Celtics found themselves in a deep hole Thursday night, trailing the Miami Heat by as many as 19 points. But in a game that looked like it might get away from them early, Boston clawed back for a gutsy 119-114 win - and they did it behind a red-hot performance from an unexpected source.
Anfernee Simons came off the bench and absolutely lit it up, dropping a season-high 39 points on 13-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-16 from deep. It wasn’t just a spark - it was a full-on fire. With the Celtics struggling to find rhythm from beyond the arc (just 13-of-39 as a team), Simons’ shot-making was nothing short of essential.
Jaylen Brown led the starters with 27 points on 9-of-24 shooting, and while he was steady, it was clear Boston needed a jolt. Derrick White had a quieter night with just eight points, which only magnified the impact of Simons’ scoring outburst.
The Celtics shot a solid 45% overall and were nearly automatic from the free-throw line, going 24-of-25. But without Simons’ offensive explosion, this comeback doesn’t happen.
And make no mistake - this wasn’t just a good game for Simons. It was historic.
His 39 points are now the fourth-most ever scored off the bench in Celtics history, trailing only Todd Day (41), Payton Pritchard (43), and Larry Bird (47). Yes, that Larry Bird - and yes, even he came off the bench once. But Simons also made franchise history on the road, surpassing Billy Knight’s 37-point mark from 1978 for the most points by a Celtics non-starter in a road game, according to NBC Sports.
The fourth quarter was where Simons truly took over. He poured in 18 of Boston’s 36 points in the final frame, including a cold-blooded step-back three that gave the Celtics a 104-102 lead with under five minutes to go. That shot didn’t just shift the scoreboard - it shifted the momentum.
Simons has been a steady contributor all season, averaging 13.5 points per game, but Thursday was on another level. Prior to this game, he’d only taken 20 or more shots once all season. Against Miami, he took 28 - and Boston needed every single one of them.
This performance also comes at a pivotal time for the Celtics, who have been navigating life without All-Star Jayson Tatum. The star forward has been sidelined since May with a torn right Achilles, and while there’s optimism about a possible return later this season, Boston hasn’t waited around.
They’ve gone 14-6 since December, climbing back into the thick of the Eastern Conference race after a 11-9 start. As of Thursday, they sit just 4.5 games behind the conference-leading Detroit Pistons.
The Celtics have made it clear they’re not just treading water - they’re competing. And Simons’ breakout night is the latest reminder that this team has depth, resilience, and a next-man-up mentality that’s keeping them in the hunt.
Tatum’s eventual return could elevate Boston back into full-blown title contention, but until then, performances like Simons’ are keeping that window wide open.