Boston Celtics: Evan Fournier has career night in third game with Celtics

Evan Fournier is fitting in perfectly with the Boston Celtics. So perfect, that he had a career night and made Celtics history along the way in just his third game since being traded to Boston. Per ESPN Stats & Info, Fournier became the second Celtics player to score 20 points on 100 percent shooting in a quarter over the last 25 years.

The other Celtics player to reach that same feat was Paul Pierce. In 2009, Pierce scored 20 points in the third quarter against the Chicago Bulls.

Evan Fournier caught fire in the fourth quarter to push the Boston Celtics past the Houston Rockets

During Fournier’s fourth-quarter run, he scored 20 points on a perfect 7-7 shooting from the field. But he also impressively connected on six 3-pointers in the quarter as well. Fournier finished the game with 23 points and a career-high seven made 3-pointers. Here’s what Fournier said after his career night with the Celtics.

"“I always try to stay in the moment. Never too high, never too low. That’s been my motto for years now. I’ve played nine years in this league now. I know who I am and know what I’m capable of doing.” – Evan Fournier, via Conor Roche of Boston.com"

Fournier continued.

"“So obviously, that first game was not the way I wanted to start with the Celtics, but it’s not going to define who I am with this team. I’ve said it many times. I’m going to try to impact winning as much as I can and I’m really happy about the win tonight. Moving forward I’m going to try as hard as I can and help the guys.” – Evan Fournier, via Conor Roche of Boston.com"

Fournier understands that the Boston Celtics are a very talented team. For years, he has played against Boston when he was with the Orlando Magic. So it’s fair to say that he had a good idea of the type of team he was joining, despite their record and struggles this season.

Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens acknowledges that Fournier is a great veteran presence to have on the team. He’s experienced and consistent, two qualities that the Celtics lack on their roster this season.

"“I give him a lot of credit. I can already tell he’s not really a guy that rides the emotional roller coaster, he’s a pretty even-keeled guy and he’s come into work every day and gotten his normal amount of shots up, doesn’t look bothered by the fact that he started in that first game 0-for-10.”“Didn’t look bothered by the fact that we didn’t give them enough shots as a team the other day. He’s just trying to figure out how he can help impact us and we did a better job of finding him tonight, especially once he got going.” – Brad Stevens, via Conor Roche of Boston.com"

The Celtics are lucky to have landed Fournier at the trade deadline. To speak further into Fournier’s consistency, he has averaged at least 15 points and 30 minutes per game since 2015.

Acquiring an additional scorer on a team with Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown is going to open up the floor more for the Celtics. And Fournier is going to have to continue taking advantage of that when the opportunity presents itself.

Perhaps there will be a great opportunity for the Boston Celtics to sign Fournier to a long-term deal somewhere down the road. That seems to be the hopeful intentions behind the trade to begin with. Nevertheless, the nine-year veteran closed his postgame interview on a career night with this well-earned statement.

"”You know I’m going to enjoy my glass of wine tonight and you know I’m going to sleep very well.”"