It has not exactly been the most seamless integration into the way the Boston Celtics play basketball for former Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons. But the Florida native has been putting in the work on the court and off, and we are starting to see some positive returns on Simons' investment in himself and his new ball club.
The backup Boston guard showed out in the first half of the Celtics' 138-129 win over the visiting Orlando Magic on Sunday (Nov. 23) evening, putting up 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists on a sizzling 8-of-11 shooting, including an efficient 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. And while Simons may not play the way Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla prefers his players to in terms of the chaotic energy brought by the likes of Jordan Walsh and Hugo Gonzalez, or even a more measured intensity as we see from Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, or Josh Minott, Mazzulla likes what he's been seeing from Simons in recent games. "He's playing his role really well," said the Celtics coach postgame via CLNS Media.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"I think he's given us everything," continued Mazzulla. "He's trying to understand the system. He's learning. He's competing."
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 18: Head coach Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics looks on against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at Barclays Center on November 18, 2025 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)"But I think the guys are doing a good job," added the West Virginia alum. "I think he's just getting more comfortable coming off the bench and being aggressive right away."
"I think in the first few games he was easing into it. I think the last few weeks is kind of like, that's what we need him to be. And so he's done a great job of that and just scoring in a bunch of different ways, so it's good to see him do that."
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Mazzulla sees Simons getting more comfortable with Celtics bench role
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