Ron Harper Jr. was listed as available for Game 2 on Tuesday as the Boston Celtics tried to push their Eastern Conference semifinal series lead to 2-0 against the Philadelphia 76ers, a day after he had been listed as probable because of a right ankle sprain.
Harper played four minutes in Boston's 123-91 win in Game 1 on Sunday, a blowout built on defense as the Celtics held Philadelphia to 91 points, 36% shooting and 17% from 3-point range. The ankle issue put his status on the edge of caution, but Boston still had him available as it prepared for another playoff game that was expected to lean on its established core.
That is a familiar spot for Harper, who earned All-NBA G League Third Team honors before the playoffs after emerging as a standout role player, then later turned a two-way deal into a standard NBA contract with Boston. He closed the regular season with a career-high 27 points against the Orlando Magic in 37 minutes, a reminder that he can still provide more than spot duty when the Celtics need it.
The tension here is not whether Boston can survive without him for one night. It is whether the ankle will keep Harper from forcing his way into a larger postseason role if the Celtics need depth beyond the group they are most likely to trust. For now, Boston has the lead, Harper is available, and the next test is whether that small opening turns into anything more.
