The Boston Celtics were not expected to be a great team this season. Jayson Tatum missing the whole year with an Achilles injury hurts, but trading Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday put the icing on the cake. Jaylen Brown is attempting to carry the team, but Boston needs the reinforcements.
On Sunday, the Celtics hosted the Los Angeles Clippers in a game that saw Boston almost blow a 14-point halftime lead. The C’s ended up winning by three points, which improved their record to 7-7. One player really finding his groove with the team is Jordan Walsh.
Walsh started his second consecutive game in Sunday’s win. Playing 33 minutes, the former second-round pick scored six points, dished out three assists, grabbed eight rebounds, blocked one shot, and recorded three steals. The stat line does not jump out at you, but his contributions were noticed, especially on defense.
“And that’s the role – that’s what you have to become is a guy that can guard anybody on any given night, and he’s embracing that,” Celtics’ head coach Joe Mazzulla said, per Taylor Snow of NBA.com.
Coach Mazzulla is not the only one who noticed Walsh’s intensity on defense.
Walsh was matched up with James Harden most of the night, and Harden gave the young man his praise.
“He’s a young guy who’s trying to find his niche in the league. That’s what it starts with – the effort, playing hard – and he did that tonight,” Harden said, as reported by Snow.
Jordan Walsh is a Defensive Asset
GettyJordan Walsh has started the last two games.
Mazzulla has been comfortable matching Walsh up with the best player on the other team, no matter who it may be. Walsh has defended guards, forwards, and centers this season. He has been assigned to guard players like Paolo Banchero, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Tyrese Maxey this year.
On the Celtics, Walsh ranks fourth in defensive rating, an impressive stat considering his matchups each night. Additionally, the 21-year-old has allowed his assignments to shoot just 42.8% from the field, and he has allowed the fewest total points of any Celtics player with more than 15.0 minutes played per game.
Boston is still trying to find that perfect person to be the fifth starter on the team. With Walsh proving himself to be a valuable defender, he could find his way into the starting lineup more often.
Celtics Still Have a Chance at the Playoffs
GettyThe Celtics currently sit 10th place in the Eastern Conference.
It is only mid-November, but it is never too early to start thinking about the playoffs. As it stands right now, Boston is in 10th place in the Eastern Conference. That would put them in the first Play-In game with a chance to play in a second.
Teams do not like to be in the Play-In games. It guarantees they will have to face either the first or second seed in the playoffs if successful in the Play-In. However, the Eastern Conference is up for grabs this year. There are currently four five-loss teams and three six-loss teams. Needless to say, Boston should be able to give themselves a chance at the playoffs, even if they finish a few games under .500.
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