Boston Celtics Overcome Heat in Comeback Win

New addition Nikola Vucevic impresses in Celtics debut as team rallies from behind.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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The Boston Celtics overcame a double-digit deficit to defeat the Miami Heat in a thrilling comeback victory. The game featured the debut of newly acquired center Nikola Vucevic, who made an immediate impact and helped spark the Celtics' rally. The win extends the Celtics' winning streak and solidifies their position atop the Eastern Conference standings.

Why it matters

The Celtics' ability to overcome adversity and win games despite facing large deficits demonstrates the team's resilience and depth. Vucevic's successful debut also highlights the Celtics' savvy trade deadline moves and their commitment to improving the roster for a deep playoff run.

The details

The Celtics trailed the Heat by as many as 15 points in the second half before mounting a furious comeback. Vucevic, acquired in a trade deadline deal, scored 18 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in his first game with the team. The Celtics' defense also stepped up, holding the Heat to just 17 points in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.

  • The Celtics overcame a 15-point deficit to defeat the Heat on February 7, 2026.
  • Nikola Vucevic made his Celtics debut in the game against the Heat.

The players

Nikola Vucevic

A veteran center acquired by the Celtics at the trade deadline, Vucevic made an immediate impact in his debut, scoring 18 points and grabbing 9 rebounds to help the team rally to victory.

Jayson Tatum

The Celtics' star forward, who has been sidelined with an injury, is expected to return to the lineup soon according to team president Brad Stevens.

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What they’re saying

“Nikola really gave us a big boost tonight. His ability to score and rebound was crucial to our comeback.”

— Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Head Coach (Celtics.com)

“We knew we had to dig deep and play with more energy in the second half. The guys really stepped up and made it happen.”

— Jaylen Brown, Celtics Guard (CLNS Media)

What’s next

The Celtics will look to continue their winning streak when they host the New York Knicks on February 10th.

The takeaway

The Celtics' ability to overcome a large deficit and win with a new addition like Vucevic demonstrates the team's resilience and depth, making them a formidable contender in the Eastern Conference.