The NBA world is eagerly anticipating what Anfernee Simons, one of the league’s purest scorers, will bring to the Boston Celtics. In his seven-year career with Portland, Simons has quietly accumulated more points than any other Trail Blazer, including three seasons alongside the legendary Damian Lillard. With 39 games of 30+ points and four games of 40+, Simons isn’t just a flash in the pan; he’s a cold-blooded assassin who knows how to shine when the team needs him most. Let’s take a look back at the top five performances of his career, a preview of the formidable weapon he’s set to become in Boston.
1. The Power of an All-Around Game: Scoring and Facilitating
No. 5: 34 points, 14 assists vs. Minnesota (March 4, 2024)
While known primarily for his scoring, Simons can also excel as a facilitator. He has five double-digit assist games over the last two seasons, with his career-high coming in this contest with 14 assists—which led to 34 points for his teammates—along with his own 34 points, totaling 68 points produced for the game.
He shot 50% from the field, including five threes, and even threw down a poster dunk on three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.
No. 4: 45 points vs. Utah (Dec. 3, 2022)
This was Simons’s highest-scoring effort of his career, where he dropped a whopping 45 points, including 33 in the first half alone.
He was incredibly efficient, shooting 8-of-13 from two-point range, 7-of-12 from three, and a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. Although he had a career-high seven turnovers, it was an anomaly for a player who averages just 1.6 turnovers per game, while his scoring prowess is the real deal.
No. 3: 36 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds vs. Atlanta (March 13, 2024)
This game showcased Simons’s all-around game, as he flirted with a triple-double with 36 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds.
He committed only one turnover and was a clutch performer, scoring seven points in the final 2:40 and sealing the win with a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line in the last 22 seconds.
2. A Rookie Debut and a Career-Defining Performance
No. 2: 37 points, 9 assists vs. Sacramento (April 10, 2019)
Let’s rewind all the way back to Simons’s rookie season. In the season finale, he earned his first career start and played every single minute.
Simons erupted for 37 points, including seven threes, along with season-highs of six rebounds and nine assists. To this day, it remains the only 48-minute game of his career and one of the greatest performances of his life.
No. 1: 43 points, 9 threes vs. Atlanta (Jan. 3, 2022)
The performance we felt topped them all came in a win with the same final score of 136-131, this time against the Atlanta Hawks.
Simons scored a then-career-high 43 points, which included a career-high-tying nine threes. His shooting efficiency was extraordinary: 80% from inside the arc, 56.3% from outside, and a perfect 100% from the free-throw line.
After the game, Simons dedicated the performance to his grandfather, who had passed away the previous night after battling cancer, making it a truly unforgettable and emotional moment.
Anfernee Simons may not be a household name, but what he brings to the court is undeniable. These five performances are not just impressive numbers; they are a testament to his versatility, efficiency, and clutch gene. With his move to the Boston Celtics, a team built on team play and a dynamic offensive system, Anfernee Simons is poised for an even bigger breakout. He is set to become a secret weapon that could help the Celtics reach new heights and possibly another championship.