Ron Harper Jr. reacts to an unexpected career night against the Rockets

Ron Harper’s first NBA start came under unlikely circumstances, but the two-way guard made the most of his opportunity as Boston Celtics stunned the Houston Rockets, 114-93, on Wednesday night at the Toyota Center. Playing for the second night in a row and without multiple players in the rotation, Boston relied on execution, rebounding and unexpected contributions – none bigger than Harper’s career night.

The 25-year-old entered the game with just 35 NBA minutes this season. Starting with Kevin Durant, he played a career-high 33 minutes and finished with 11 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Harper also connected on three 3-pointers, outplaying Durant from beyond the arc, and helped limit the 16-time All-Star to 15 points on 4-for-11 shooting (36.4%).

“In this game, on this team, you never know what you’re going to be asked to do on any given day,” Harper he said postgame. “But it starts when you’re checking a guy like Kevin Durant full court, getting bounced off him. So it definitely hits you — it’s a little reality check, but just going out there and having fun is the most important part.”

He asked Ron Harper Jr. what was going through his mind throughout the night of his career:

“It’s crazy. In this game, on this team, you never know what you’re going to be asked to do on any given day…”

Hugo cut him off and said, “I knew it!”

Ron: “You knew? I appreciate you bro!” pic.twitter.com/38lEuEfFP2

— Noah Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) February 5, 2026

Durant’s 15 points were his fewest in 35 combined regular-season and playoff games against Boston. Harper defended him full court for long stretches, denying touches and forcing Houston into inefficient possessions. The Rockets finished the game shooting 41.5% from the field.

Harper’s most memorable moment came late in the third quarter when he completed a one-handed dunk off an offensive rebound. Just three days earlier, Harper scored 31 points with 12 rebounds for the Maine Celtics in the G League. Wednesday’s career performance earned Harper a spot in the upcoming Rising Stars Challenge All-Star weekend, where he will participate as one of seven G League selections.

The Celtics entered the game without Jaylen Brown and Sam Hauser, while Anfernee Simmons and Chris Boucher were also unavailable. Down to 10 men, Boston still physically controlled the game. They outrebounded the Rockets 57–38, including a 20–12 advantage on the offensive glass. Harper contributed four offensive rebounds, helping Boston to 27 second-chance points against the league’s best rebounding team.

The Celtics led just 18–17 after a rough first quarter, their worst first quarter of the season. Boston built a 49–42 lead at halftime before erupting in the third quarter on a 28–9 run. Derrick White scored 14 of his game-high 28 points during that stretch, drilling four 3-pointers. Peyton Pritchard added 27 points off the bench in his second straight game as a reserve.

Baylor Scheierman recorded his first career double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Neemias Cueta grabbed 19 rebounds, including seven offensive boards, and blocked five shots to match Houston’s total. Luca Garza scored a season-high 19 points.

Returning home before All-Star weekend, the team begins a three-game homestand, hosting the Miami Heat on Friday, the New York Knicks on Sunday and the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.