Breakdown
Performance
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May 4, 2026
Logs four minutes in start
Harper closed Saturday's 109-100 loss to the 76ers in Game 7 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with zero points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and two steals across four minutes.
Analysis
Harper starting Game 7 was not on anyone's bingo card, but the experiment did not last long. Playing in his third NBA campaign, Harper logged 29 regular-season appearances for the Celtics and averaged 4.2 points and 1.7 rebounds in 11.0 minutes per contest.
May 2, 2026
Starting versus Philadelphia
Harper will start Saturday's Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against Philadelphia, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.
Analysis
Jayson Tatum (knee) won't play in this do-or-die matchup, though it's still surprising to see Harper in the starting lineup after he averaged only 4.2 minutes per game in the first six outings of the series. The 26-year-old started three games in the regular season, during which he averaged 15.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.3 blocks and 1.3 steals across 33.3 minutes a night.
