Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons is finally poised to experience playoff basketball again after a five-year absence. Following a challenging period with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he took on the hefty responsibility of filling in for star players CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard, Simons is now with the Celtics, who are providing him with a much-desired opportunity to compete in the postseason.
Since his acquisition by the Celtics in a trade aimed at financial flexibility that involved moving Jrue Holiday, Simons has been entrenched in trade rumors. However, as the season progresses into January, he remains with the team and is instrumental to their strong start, currently sitting at a 21-12 record.
This progress is significant given that as recent as October 2023, Simons expressed his aspirations for postseason success. “We want to win. We want to make the playoffs. That’s everybody’s goal,” he stated, highlighting his determination to make a mark this season.
Simons has appeared in all 33 games for Boston, ranking fifth on the squad in average minutes and demonstrating impressive shooting — he is third in three-pointers made and fourth in both scoring and assists, maintaining an impressive turnover rate of just one per game. While he has faced challenges in isolation scenarios, he shines as an off-ball defender, boasting rankings in the 85th percentile for off-ball chaser defense and the 77th percentile for navigating ball screens.
His recent performances have been noteworthy, with significant contributions during critical games. In a victory over the Utah Jazz, Simons scored 20 points alongside five rebounds and four assists. He followed that up with another solid outing against the Sacramento Kings, where he scored 14 points, helping the Celtics secure their position at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Simons’ contributions have proven to be beneficial for the team’s success. The Celtics have a record of 4-1 when he scores at least 20 points and 9-3 when he finishes with 15 or more. Additionally, there’s a noticeable improvement in teammates’ performance when Simons shares the court, as Jaylen Brown’s true shooting percentage increases significantly and Derrick White sees a boost in points per possession.
With the Celtics currently third in the Eastern Conference and Simons solidifying his role, fans can look forward to his anticipated return to the playoffs, marking the end of a prolonged wait for the talented guard. His hard work and adaptability to Boston’s system are finally paving the way for success, hinting at an exciting chapter ahead in his basketball career.