Anfernee Simons delivered a spectacular performance in the first half, leading the Boston Celtics to a hard-fought 111-107 victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday. Simons scored all 25 of his points before halftime, showcasing his talents in his hometown. Luka Garza played a crucial role late in the game, contributing 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 17 minutes, while Jordan Walsh sealed the win with a key three-pointer in the final seconds.
The Celtics, who entered the game with a record of 5-6 and had lost five consecutive outings at the Amway Center, demonstrated resilience in the fourth quarter. They mounted a powerful comeback, transforming a two-point deficit into an 11-point lead early in the final period thanks to a 13-0 run. This determined effort, characterized by relentless hustle plays, allowed them to fend off the Magic, who fell to 4-6 with the loss.
Orlando initially asserted its dominance, establishing an 8-0 lead that expanded to a 21-9 advantage thanks to their physical style of play. The Magic effectively pressured the Celtics, making it challenging for them to find open shots. However, Simons stepped onto the court and made an immediate impact, energizing the Celtics and helping them reduce the deficit to 33-30 by the end of the first quarter.
In a stunning display, Simons scored a remarkable 14 points in just over two minutes during the second quarter, propelling the Celtics to a 44-35 lead. His impressive performance marked a significant milestone as he achieved the highest number of points off the bench in the first half for the Celtics since 1997, surpassing 6,000 career points and becoming the 13th-youngest player to reach 1,000 career three-pointers.
Derrick White, who finished the game with 21 points, made his presence felt alongside Jaylen Brown, who scored 27 points. The duo’s efforts, complemented by hustle plays from Hugo Gonzalez, allowed the Celtics to go into halftime tied at 54.
The third quarter remained competitive, with Brown and Magic star Paolo Banchero engaging in a back-and-forth scoring exchange. Garza’s and-one shot later in the period highlighted his grit and pushed the Celtics to a 76-75 lead. However, the Magic maintained a slim 80-78 advantage heading into the final quarter.
The Celtics regained the lead in the fourth with crucial three-pointers from Walsh and Gonzalez. White’s jumper and Garza’s three consecutive baskets extended Boston’s lead to 96-85 with just over five minutes left. Despite a late push from the Magic, including key baskets from Suggs and Banchero, Walsh’s late three-pointer solidified the Celtics’ victory.
This win not only snapped their losing streak in Orlando but also reflected the team’s growth and ability to rally under pressure. The Hollywood star performances of Simons and the clutch play from Garza and Walsh signal brighter days ahead for the Celtics as they strive to find their groove this season.