Nikola Vucevic goes to work for Boston in his debut against the Heat
The Boston Celtics it didn’t last long to see the “Nikola Vucevic Effect” in action. Just days after acquiring the veteran Chicago Bulls for Anferni Simmons, Vucevic made his debut Friday night and provided the steady arm the team needed to pull off a tight comeback win against Miami Heat.
The night got off to an ugly start for the home crowd at TD Garden. With Jayson Tatum still on the sidelines after Achilles surgery, the Boston Celtics looked out of sorts early, falling behind 29-15 after a cold first quarter. Miami’s defense stifled the Celtics, who struggled to find any rhythm without their superstar. However, it was Vucevic who proved why the front office targeted him to stabilize the rotation.
Nikola Vucevic is going to work 😤
He won a 20-3 streak for the Celtics!
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 7, 2026
Nikola Vucevic completed his debut with a complex double-double, scoring 11 points and 12 rebounds. In addition to scoring, he displayed the high IQ that has defined his 15-year career, dishing out 4 assists and active hands on defense to record 2 steals. He was incredibly efficient, shooting 4-of-8 from the field and providing a reliable post presence that finally opened up the floor for teammates like Peyton Pritchard.
2026-02-07 03:44:00
