The Boston Celtics reserves secured a 113-108 victory over the Orlando Magic at TD Garden, with Ron Harper Jr. delivering a career-best 27-point performance.
Harper Jr. credited the team’s confidence and preparation from the start, pointing to a shared mindset across the roster.
“This locker room. Surprised by that outcome? No,” Harper Jr. said. “Luka’s said it before the game, you know, held it up just for all the times that we on the bench, all the times that we want opportunity. We had a chance to go out there and show it.”
He emphasized the group’s collective belief, adding, “We had a lot of confidence. All the guys sitting out had a lot of confidence in us and at the end of the day we just went out and executed and that was the most important thing.”
Against a full-strength Orlando lineup led by Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs, Harper Jr. said the win carried added weight for the short-handed rotation.
“It’s just real rewarding for everybody that was involved,” he said. “The eight players that played, just being able to go out there and get a win against a full roster against a team that’s pretty good that’s had some success this year. It’s important. And it builds confidence.”
Harper Jr. also described his personal approach to the game, noting a simple mindset on a milestone night.
“Have a good game on my birthday. That was my mentality for sure,” he said. “I wanted to make it a game I remember.”
The guard also reflected on his path from a two-way contract to a more consistent role, emphasizing trust within the organization and growth through opportunity.
“This has been really rewarding knowing that the time that I’m putting in, the effort that I’m putting in doesn’t go unnoticed,” Harper Jr. said. “This year has just been really really rewarding.”
When discussing his development, he highlighted improved decision-making as a key step forward.
“Being able to analyze situations, whether that’s a clock, whether that’s matchups, whether that’s how they’re guarded,” he said. “That’s something in my game that’s definitely got a lot better.”
Harper Jr. also described the feeling of hearing his name in the starting lineup introduction at TD Garden.
“I felt great. I heard it twice on the road. I got my one in TD Garden, so it was a great night,” he said. “Great night for sure.”
Even after a high-scoring performance, Harper Jr. said the group remained grounded in expectations set internally.
“We know our capabilities,” he said. “We came into this game expecting to compete and expecting to win at the end of the day.”
He closed by reflecting on his journey from an Exhibit 10 deal to a rotation role, calling the season “rewarding” after earning his first start and steady minutes with the Celtics.
“It’s something that I dreamed of for a while,” Harper Jr. said. “I definitely didn’t think this would be the year where I start a game.”
