BOSTON — It did not take long on Wednesday night for Jordan Walsh to make an impact in his first start of the season for the Celtics. His coach, Joe Mazzulla was even able to recite the plays after a 131-95 blowout win.
“He made some big plays to start the game,” Mazzulla said. “I thought we got off to a good start with that offensive rebound, blocked shot in transition, got a stop on the first possession.”
Walsh took over Josh Minott’s spot in the starting five after a stellar week of play off the bench and picked up where he left off from a defensive standpoint. After guarding Paolo Banchero and Tyrese Maxey in Boston’s last two games, Walsh took on the Grizzlies’ best active player in Jaren Jackson Jr., helping limit him to 18 points. Many of those points came with the game already in garbage time for Memphis as Boston built a 35-point lead by the midway point of the third quarter.
Walsh finished with seven points, six rebounds, and a pair of blocks in the win, and the Celtics are now a plus-70 with him on the floor over the team’s last five games. With Minott struggling with his consistency at times, Walsh looks ready to fill the void with the starters while providing some unique defensive versatility.
“I mean, he’s athletic, but he works at it,” Mazzulla said. “He’s smart. I think part of guarding people at different positions is just knowing tendencies, knowing personnel. Him and his player development coach, with Tyler (Lashbrook), they work on that a lot. And he just spends a lot of time in the film room to have an understanding of who he’s going against. So it’s a difficult job, but he’s embracing it.”
Payton Pritchard was in a similar situation to Walsh early in his career while waiting for opportunities off the bench. He’s eager to watch him continue to grow with his chance for a bigger role.
“He’s been doing a great job defending,” Pritchard said. “Being really active. One thing I keep stressing with him is keep being a ball player. If you’re open, shoot it with confidence and attack the closeout. Don’t forget what got you here.”
With Walsh under contract with the Celtics through the 2026-27 season on a bargain rookie contract, his breakout could end up being a huge development amid a retooling season. Finding athletic 3-and-D players in the NBA is not easy and the Celtics could be developing a few right now in Walsh, Hugo Gonzalez and Minott. For now, Walsh is playing the most consistently in that pack of talent.
“Honestly, I just think he’s been more professional and maturing,” Pritchard said. “Now, he’s ready for the moment. Just stressing him to like don’t take it for granted. Come hungry still every day and keep pushing.”
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