Ron Harper Jr. finally got his chance for the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night, and he made the most of it. <\/p>\n
With the Celtics on the second night of a back-to-back<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Harper responded with a big game, tallying 11 points, nine rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes, helping Boston beat the Rockets 114-93<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n After Wednesday\u2019s encouraging performance, Harper explained why.<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n Ron Harper Jr. might be new to Celtics fans, but he\u2019s spent the last two training camps with Boston and is super familiar with the team: <\/p>\n \u201cI 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\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/ROI7aFVJg2<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/4ERrvgc0VX<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Noa Dalzell \ud83c\udfc0 (@NoaDalzell) February 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI 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,\u201d Harper told CLNS reporter Noa Dalzell<\/a>. \u201cI just knew the team, I knew the coaches, I knew the system. I felt like I could excel. I feel like it\u2019s working out pretty good so far.\u201d<\/p>\n Indeed it has. Not only has Harper been one of the best players in the G League<\/a> this year, but he\u2019s also gotten more playing time with the Celtics, who\u2019ve often been shorthanded this season. He\u2019s appeared in eight games for them this season, one short of his career high.<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n