East Notes: Celtics, Anfernee Simons, Pistons, Ausar Thompson, Sixers

Celtics

Anfernee Simons looked like his old self in Boston’s win at New Orleans, scoring 25 points off the bench and hitting six three-pointers in 32 minutes, as relayed by Souichi Terada of MassLive.

It was his best game since joining the Celtics after several years as a go-to scorer in Portland.

“It’s been for sure a transition, but I’ve been enjoying it,” Simons said. “Just asking a different side of me. I’ve been trying each and every day to improve on things I need to help the team win.”

Coach Joe Mazzulla said Simons has handled his new role perfectly.

“He’s just a graceful guy and he just wants to win,” Mazzulla said. “You saw tonight what he’s been able to do in this league for a long time. It’s on me and his teammates to get the best version of him.”

Elsewhere, Josh Minott made his first NBA start and produced 15 points and nine rebounds. Boston outscored New Orleans by 42 with him on the floor, per Brian Robb of MassLive.

“It’s just been exciting,” Minott said. “I can’t take it for granted.”

Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown played through a sore hamstring and logged 15 points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes.

“I had to get on the floor,” Brown said, via Terada. “We had to find a way to win. I’ve had some hamstring injuries in the past, so it’s given me some good information on how to stay effective.”

Pistons

The Pistons have exercised 2026-27 rookie-scale options for Ausar Thompson, Ron Holland, and Marcus Sasser, according to RealGM’s NBA transaction log.

Thompson, the No. 5 pick in 2023, continues to show promise as a breakout candidate. He posted 21 points, 12 rebounds, and two steals Sunday against the Celtics and is averaging 14.3 points and 6.5 rebounds through four games.

Holland, last year’s No. 5 pick, has taken a noticeable step forward in his second season, averaging 12.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game.

Sasser, recovering from a right hip impingement, has yet to play this season after averaging 6.6 points as a rookie.

76ers

The Sixers are showing early signs of depth after a season that fell apart due to injuries, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Playing without Joel Embiid (knee management) and Dominick Barlow (elbow procedure), Philadelphia still handled Orlando to stay unbeaten.

“Last year, I think lineups changed a lot,” Kelly Oubre Jr. said. “But this year, no matter who’s out there, we have this constant that we won’t waver from.”

Coach Nick Nurse turned to new faces to fill minutes, including Jabari Walker, who made his first start, and guards Eric Gordon and Hunter Sallis, who both saw their first action of the year.