Nikola Vucevic Reflects on Celtics Debut at TD Garden

The veteran center discusses his first game with Boston and the energetic home crowd.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Newly acquired Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic spoke with local media about his debut with the team, a 98-96 home win over the Miami Heat. Vucevic, who was previously with the Chicago Bulls, said he felt "pretty comfortable" on the court and was "very happy" the team secured the victory. The Montenegrin big man highlighted the electric atmosphere at TD Garden, praising the passionate Celtics fans who cheered him on.

Why it matters

Vucevic's addition to the Celtics roster has been a long-awaited move by some fans, who believe his inside scoring and rebounding presence can help bolster Boston's frontcourt. His successful debut suggests he is already integrating well with his new teammates and embracing the team's passionate fanbase.

The details

In his first game with the Celtics, Vucevic recorded a double-double with 11 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. He noted that as the game progressed, he and his teammates "figured out certain things" they wanted to run and felt more comfortable playing together. Vucevic was particularly impressed by the energy of the TD Garden crowd, saying the fans' support helped provide "more momentum" and motivation for the team.

  • Vucevic made his Celtics debut on Friday, February 6, 2026.
  • The Celtics defeated the Miami Heat 98-96 in that game.

The players

Nikola Vucevic

A veteran NBA center who was recently traded from the Chicago Bulls to the Boston Celtics.

Boston Celtics

An NBA franchise based in Boston, Massachusetts that is one of the league's most successful and storied franchises.

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What they’re saying

“I think, pretty good. Most importantly, glad we got the win.”

— Nikola Vucevic, Celtics Center (Yahoo Sports)

“Obviously, you know, we got down a lot, but as you know, in the third quarter, once we started making that run, it was really fun to get the crowd into it. Obviously, very loud, one of the loudest places in the NBA. I know, even from playing against the Celtics before, but it's much nicer when the fans are behind you and supporting you. It was great. Boston fans really know sports, they really know basketball. I could really hear people cheer. It's fun to hear my name getting cheered, and especially the ovation I got when I first got subbed in.”

— Nikola Vucevic, Celtics Center (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

Vucevic and the Celtics will look to build on their successful debut as they continue their season and push for a playoff berth.

The takeaway

Nikola Vucevic's smooth transition to the Celtics and the enthusiastic reception from the TD Garden crowd suggest he could be a valuable addition to Boston's roster as they aim to contend in the Eastern Conference.