Anfernee Simons is in a weird spot. If you’ve been tracking the Anfernee Simons game log over the last few months, you’ve probably noticed something jarring. He isn't in Portland anymore. After seven years of being the "next big thing" in Rip City, the 26-year-old guard is now wearing Boston green, coming off the bench, and trying to prove that an undersized, offensive-first guard still has a place in a league that is rapidly turning its back on them.
It’s been a massive shift. Honestly, seeing him play 24 minutes a night instead of 35 feels wrong at first glance. But the numbers tell a story of a player who is actually becoming more efficient, even if his raw totals have dipped.
The 2025-2026 Transition: From Star to Spark Plug
The trade that sent Simons to the Boston Celtics for Jrue Holiday was a shocker. Most people expected Simons to be the cornerstone of the post-Lillard era in Portland. Instead, Joe Cronin and the Blazers front office decided to pivot toward a backcourt of Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.
Since arriving in Boston, Simons has had to reinvent himself. He’s no longer the guy taking 18 shots a game. In the current Anfernee Simons game log, his minutes are hovering around the 24-27 range. He’s basically become the ultimate microwave scorer.
Recent Performances and Shooting Volatility
Look at his last few outings in January 2026. They are the definition of a roller coaster. On January 5th against Chicago, he was untouchable. He dropped 27 points in just 27 minutes, shooting a blistering 8-of-14 from three. He didn't even score in the first half of that game! Then, he comes out five days later against San Antonio and finishes with a measly 5 points on 2-of-8 shooting.
That’s the reality of a bench scorer. You’re at the mercy of the flow of the game.
- Jan 12 @ IND: 16 points, 4 assists, 24 minutes (L, 96-98)
- Jan 10 vs SAS: 5 points, 3 assists, 25 minutes (L, 95-100)
- Jan 9 vs TOR: 15 points, 5 assists, 26 minutes (W, 125-117)
- Jan 5 vs CHI: 27 points, 8 threes, 27 minutes (W, 115-101)
He’s averaging about 13.5 points per game this season. Compare that to the 22.6 he put up two years ago. It looks like a regression, but his effective field goal percentage (eFG%) is actually sitting at a very healthy 53.3%. He’s picking his spots. He’s playing within Joe Mazzulla’s system, which prioritizes the three-point line above almost everything else.
What the Anfernee Simons Game Log Tells Us About His Market Value
There’s a lot of chatter right now about the "death" of the small scoring guard. You see it with the way Trae Young’s trade value plummeted. Teams are obsessed with two-way wings. Simons is 6'4" and, let's be real, he’s never going to be an All-Defensive team candidate.
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However, his ability to facilitate is underrated. Even in limited minutes, he’s averaging 2.5 assists and has shown a much better understanding of when to kick the ball out rather than forcing a contested floater. In that Toronto win on January 9th, he had 5 assists and zero turnovers. That’s growth. He’s not just a "chucker" anymore.
The Blazers might feel vindicated for moving on when they did, but Boston is getting a guy who can win them a playoff game single-handedly when the starters are resting.
The Defensive Question Mark
If you look at his advanced stats, the defensive rating is still the elephant in the room. He’s currently part of a Boston second unit that has struggled to get stops during this recent January slump. Opponents are shooting nearly 48% when Simons is the primary defender.
Mazzulla has been pushing him to be more active on the glass—he actually grabbed 5 rebounds in a New Year’s Eve win over Utah—but his primary value remains his gravity as a shooter. When he’s on the floor, the spacing for the Celtics is elite.
Fantasy Basketball Outlook: Streamer or Hold?
If you’re looking at the Anfernee Simons game log for fantasy purposes, it’s frustrating. In standard 10-team leagues, he’s a fringe player. He doesn't provide steals or blocks. He’s essentially a specialist for points and three-pointers.
If you're in a deeper 14-team league, he's a must-roster because of the upside. Any night where he gets 25+ minutes, he has the potential to hit five or six triples. But his floor is low. If his shot isn't falling, he’s not doing much else to help your team.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
The narrative that Simons is "fading" is a bit lazy. He’s adapting. To really understand his impact, you have to look past the box score and see how teams defend the Celtics' second unit when he's out there.
- Watch the Second Quarter: This is where Simons usually gets his run. He’s been leading the Celtics' bench in scoring consistently.
- Track the 3PA: If he’s taking fewer than 6 threes in a game, he’s not being utilized correctly. His value is tied to volume from deep.
- Trade Deadline Watch: With the deadline approaching in February, keep an eye on teams like Orlando or Milwaukee. There are rumors that Boston might move him for a more defensive-minded big if Kristaps Porzingis’ health remains a concern.
Anfernee Simons is proof that the "star" label is often just a matter of situation. He could still drop 30 on any given night, but in Boston, they don't need him to. They need him to be exactly what he showed against Chicago—a cold-blooded assassin who can flip a game in six minutes. That is the new reality for one of the league's most pure shooters.
Keep an eye on his assist-to-turnover ratio over the next ten games. If that keeps trending upward, he’s not just a shooter—he’s becoming a complete NBA guard.
Next Steps: Review the upcoming Celtics schedule to see if Simons faces any bottom-tier defensive backcourts where he might see a spike in usage. Keep a close eye on the NBA trade rumors as the February deadline approaches, as his expiring contract makes him a prime piece for a larger championship-push move.