On May 2, 2026, Ron Harper Jr. made history during Game 7 of the NBA playoffs as part of a Boston Celtics starting lineup that collectively scored zero points against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden.
The Celtics struggled significantly, missing nine consecutive three-point attempts in the final five minutes of the game. They shot only 2-for-13 during this crucial stretch.
Harper Jr., along with Baylor Scheierman and Luka Garza, finished the game with zero points—an unprecedented feat in NBA playoff history.
This marked the first time since the 1970-71 season that three different starters on a team ended a playoff game without scoring. The Celtics were trailing 97-96 when they began their shooting drought.
Jayson Tatum was ruled out for Game 7 due to left knee tightness, which likely impacted the team’s performance. Coach Joe Mazzulla remarked on the situation, saying, “I love the looks that we got. I love the process that we had. Hate the result.”
The Celtics had a successful season prior to this disappointment, finishing with 56 wins. However, their playoff exit was abrupt and shocking.
Jaylen Brown reflected on the season’s end, stating, “Great season. Obviously, it didn’t finish the way we would’ve liked.” The team will need to regroup and assess their strategy moving forward.
Fans and analysts are questioning how this historic performance will affect the team’s future decisions regarding player lineups and coaching strategies.
As for Harper Jr., he expressed bewilderment at the final moments of the game: “I love basketball can someone explain to me the last 5 mins of @celtics and @76ers game? Boston down by 1 & 3 and keep shooting 3s…. Please help me.”
