ORLANDO — Anfernee Simons was unconscious. On Sunday night, it only took him 8:23 to show what he can do when he’s hot. In that time, coming off the bench for the Boston Celtics, he scored 20 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field and 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Everything he touched turned to gold.
There were still some defensive issues. Troubles getting around screens and unnecessary fouls. But in this instance, following a 21-9 run by the Orlando Magic to start the game, that’s not what mattered. The Celtics needed scoring. And that’s exactly what Simons gave them as soon as he checked into the game.
That’s who he is.
How can Anfernee Simons help the Celtics?
Throughout the early portion of the season, Simons has struggled outside of catch-and-shoot opportunities. Whenever he’s tried to set himself up for shots, things haven’t gone too well.
On Sunday night, that was not the case. He was on fire, stepping back for threes, weaving into the defense for middys, and consistently finding a way to break down Orlando’s defensive structure.
Even when the Magic were right in his face, his shots were going down. It was one of the hottest performances for the Celtics so far this season—perhaps the hottest anyone outside of Jaylen Brown has been all year.
So far this season, Simons has been a mixed bag for the Celtics. His issues on the defensive end have masked some impressive scoring bursts on the other side of the ball.
But the outburst he enjoyed on Sunday night was unlike anything he’s produced all season. Even when Paolo Banchero and the rest of the Magic tried to take advantage of Simons on defense, he didn’t matter, as it was after he completely flipped the game on its head.
At one point early in the second quarter, the Magic were even sending two bodies at Simons in hopes of slowing him down. Payton Pritchard got an open look as a result.
Scoring has been an issue for the Celtics this season. Pritchard and Derrick White have endured slow starts from beyond the arc, and outside of Brown, nobody’s scoring has been consistent on a night-to-night basis.
However, on Sunday night, when the Celtics needed him most, Simons delivered. He turned what started as a potential Magic blowout into a game that Boston was firmly in control of.
Despite all of his flaws, it’s clear that his scoring punch can help the Celtics. From this point forward, it’s just about how consistent that punch will be there.