Simons Shines with 39 off the Bench as Celtics Emerge Victorious in Miami

Key Takeaways:

• Boston overcame a 19-point deficit and outscored Miami 36-21 in the final quarter to secure a 119-114 victory
• Anfernee Simons scored a season-high 39 points off the bench, with 18 in the fourth quarter, as Boston rallied
• Norman Powell led Miami with 26 points, while Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro added 22 each

Remarkable Fourth Quarter Lifts Boston After Early Struggles

The Boston Celtics engineered an impressive turnaround on Thursday night in Miami, overturning a heavy 19-point deficit to defeat the Heat 119-114. The visitors trailed for the majority of the game, including after an opening 28-9 Miami run inside the first seven minutes. That early gap matched the Celtics’ largest first-quarter disadvantage in a stretch of 304 games, last matched when they fell behind Indiana by 20 points on 21 December 2022, and previously when trailing Milwaukee by 19 in the first quarter on 9 April 2024.

Powered by Anfernee Simons’ season-best 39 points – 18 of which came in a decisive final period – the Celtics pulled ahead by outscoring the hosts 36-21 in the fourth quarter. Jaylen Brown gave Boston further impetus with 27 points on the night, while Sam Hauser added valuable support, contributing 17 points.

Heat check 🔥✔️ pic.twitter.com/4k2jin8G75

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 16, 2026

Bench Brilliance and Historic Feats

Simons recorded 11 straight Boston points in the last quarter, consistently narrowing the gap before Hauser’s corner three-pointer with 5:21 remaining handed the Celtics their first lead since the game’s opening minute. The advantage changed twice more, but Brown’s clutch three-pointer with 4:05 left ensured Boston would remain in front until the final buzzer.

Simons now holds the second-highest scoring game by a reserve in the NBA this season, with only Utah’s Brice Sensabaugh surpassing him with 43 points, set just the previous night in a defeat to Chicago. Over the last half-century, only Larry Bird, Todd Day, and Payton Pritchard have matched or exceeded Simons’ 39 points off Boston’s bench in a single fixture.

Miami Contributions and Team News

Norman Powell led Miami scorers with 26 points, while Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro each provided 22. Andrew Wiggins chipped in with 16. The Heat were hampered by injuries, missing starting point guard Davion Mitchell due to a left shoulder contusion and sixth man Jaime Jaquez Jr., sidelined with left knee soreness.

Next Fixtures

• Boston Celtics: at Atlanta on Saturday night
• Miami Heat: will host Oklahoma City on Saturday night