Celtics Breakout Star Reveals Why He Returned To Boston
Ron Harper Jr. finally got his chance for the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night, and he made the most of it.
With the Celtics on the second night of a back-to-back and missing Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Sam Hauser, Anfernee Simons and Chris Boucher, Joe Mazzulla gave Harper his first career NBA start against the Houston Rockets.
Harper responded with a big game, tallying 11 points, nine rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes, helping Boston beat the Rockets 114-93.
It was a great moment for the 25-year-old forward, who appeared in just two NBA games over the last two seasons combined. Despite playing just one game for the Celtics last year, he decided to return to Boston this season on a two-way contract.
After Wednesday’s encouraging performance, Harper explained why.
“I feel like I know the system; the coverages are like the back of my hand. That was a big part of the process and the decision to be coming back in the summer,” Harper told CLNS reporter Noa Dalzell. “I just knew the team, I knew the coaches, I knew the system. I felt like I could excel. I feel like it’s working out pretty good so far.”
Indeed it has. Not only has Harper been one of the best players in the G League this year, but he’s also gotten more playing time with the Celtics, who’ve often been shorthanded this season. He’s appeared in eight games for them this season, one short of his career high.
With Josh Minott and Xavier Tillman Sr. out of the picture for Boston following the NBA Trade Deadline, there could be additional minutes for Harper going forward. Time will tell if his big game in Houston translates into more playing time for him or if it was just an aberration.
Either way, he at least got to play a key role in one of the Celtics’ most surprising wins of the season.