Boston fans have waited years for Nikola Vucevic to don Celtics green, and on Friday night at TD Garden, they finally got their wish. The veteran big man, acquired from the Chicago Bulls just a day earlier in exchange for Anfernee Simons, made his much-anticipated Celtics debut in front of a raucous home crowd. And what a debut it was—Vucevic came off the bench, delivered a double-double, and helped spark an epic comeback as the Celtics erased a 22-point deficit to stun the Miami Heat 98-96.
This game was more than just another win in the standings. It marked a turning point for a Celtics team hungry for postseason glory, now boasting a reinforced frontcourt rotation and a renewed sense of resilience. Vucevic, who’s spent most of his NBA career as a starter, embraced his new role with humility and professionalism. "Talking to coach, he does like to be flexible," Vucevic said before tipoff. "I told him I was totally open to that… My role [could] be different… That might take some time to adjust to, like tonight, coming off the bench… Different minutes… I’m here to really help in any way."
That willingness to adapt paid immediate dividends. With Neemias Queta and Luka Garza struggling early in a double-big starting lineup, head coach Joe Mazzulla turned to Vucevic and Payton Pritchard off the bench. The change was electric. Vucevic entered to a thunderous ovation and wasted no time making his presence felt—grabbing offensive rebounds, dishing assists, and even snagging a steal in his first seven-minute shift. By the end of the night, he’d posted 11 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 28 minutes. Not bad for a guy learning a new system on the fly.
"I felt pretty comfortable out there," Vucevic said postgame. "I think as the game went on, I think that the guys also felt more comfortable around me and were able to figure out certain things that they want us to run. I think for the first game, it was good. Obviously, we can continue to build on it and figure things out and get a feel of playing alongside each other out there on the court. Overall, I thought it went pretty well, and most importantly, we’re happy we got the win."
The Celtics needed every bit of that spark. Their offense was ice-cold in the first half, shooting a dismal 1-for-21 from beyond the arc and trailing 59-38 at halftime. Jaylen Brown, who finished with a game-high 29 points on 11-of-25 shooting, was the lone bright spot early, but even he couldn’t prevent the Heat from building a commanding lead. "We were just kind of bogged down by those things, and it kind of impacted it," Mazzulla admitted, referencing his own overthinking as he tried to integrate the new addition. "Once we just simplified it, and once the game went on and we were able to see those reads, I thought the guys did a much better job."
The second half, though, was a different story. Boston’s defense tightened, and their shots finally began to fall. The Queta-Garza combo opened the third quarter with a 6-0 run, and Brown’s three-pointer at the 7:58 mark snapped the team’s long-range drought. Suddenly, the Celtics had life. Pritchard, who has flourished in a sixth-man role since Simons’ departure, poured in 19 of his 24 points after halftime, including several clutch threes and a dazzling and-one finish. Derrick White added 21 points and four blocks, including a critical swat in the final minute.
Vucevic, meanwhile, showcased the skillset that made him such a coveted addition. His floor-spacing and passing opened up the offense, while his size on the glass helped Boston dominate the boards. "He’s been a good player for a long time," Celtics president Brad Stevens said. "Obviously the shooting and scoring get a lot of attention. The passing is a big factor for us, and it’s something we really like in bigs. So it’s just something that gives us another look and I think our two guys that have played the majority of the minutes at that position have been outstanding, so we’re excited to have all three of them and see how it all fits together."
The comeback was capped by White’s corner three with 1:31 remaining, giving Boston the lead for good. Brown and White both made tough shots down the stretch, while the defense held firm—Davion Mitchell’s potential game-winning three for Miami missed the mark in the final seconds. The Garden erupted, celebrating not just a win, but the promise of what’s to come.
For Vucevic, the move to Boston represents a new chapter. At 35, he knows his role isn’t what it once was in Chicago or Orlando, but he’s relishing the chance to compete for something bigger than individual stats. "I look at it as it motivates me to try to get to a higher level," he said. "I am 35 but I still feel like I have a lot left in the tank and can still play at a high level. So having an opportunity to play in the playoffs and play for something big, I think it’s extra motivation for everybody. I’m just excited to have the opportunity. I never really had it in my career."
With a contract set to expire this summer, Vucevic knows he’s auditioning for a longer stay. But for now, he’s focused on helping the Celtics chase a deep playoff run. His arrival gives head coach Mazzulla new options in the frontcourt, joining Queta, Garza, and promising rookie Amari Williams. While Vucevic’s defense has faced scrutiny in the past, his offensive versatility and veteran poise are already paying off.
The Celtics, now 34-18 and holding a one-game lead over the New York Knicks for second place in the Eastern Conference, are riding a five-game winning streak and have won eight of their last ten. Up next is a marquee matinee against the Knicks on Super Bowl Sunday—a matchup that could have major implications for playoff seeding. And with three straight home games before the All-Star break, Boston has a golden opportunity to further integrate Vucevic and fine-tune their rotations.
As Jaylen Brown put it, "We’re a team… We like playing with each other. We play the game the right way, so that can carry you on the days that you might not be playing so well, or things might not be going your way. You’re always in the game, you’re always in the fight, when you play like a team, and we’ve been playing like a team all season. We haven’t skipped any steps, and regardless of who’s been out there, we’ve had that leadership carry over. So it’s been fun. It’s been fun. We still have a lot to learn, a lot to grow, but to be able to win while we’re doing that is a great sign."
Boston’s comeback win, powered by Vucevic’s debut, Pritchard’s scoring burst, and a gritty team effort, has the Celtics faithful dreaming big. With playoff aspirations burning brighter than ever, the new-look Celtics are ready to take on the East—one comeback at a time.