BOSTON — Jordan Walsh started the season on the bench, but he’s quickly integrated himself as a member of the Celtics rotation. His latest challenge Sunday was guarding James Harden, who’s still filling up the box score at 36. Walsh’s defense was notable even though Harden scored 37 points, leading the Clippers on a comeback bid.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla explained why he thought Walsh did a “great job” guarding Harden, though he wasn’t perfect. But it’s difficult matching up against Harden, who’s been one of the best guards in the league over the course of his career.
“He’s earning opportunity,” Mazzulla said. “I thought he did a great job. Like I said, he’s one of the best foul drawers in the league. I’d prefer not to have a flagrant (foul), but if you guard him for 33 minutes, you’re going to foul him two or three times. It’s just Jordan’s ability to stay disciplined throughout the entire thing, and he’s just showing a true mindset into taking that on and having the professionalism and the toughness to do that every night.”
The Celtics led by as many as 24 points early in the second half, but they held on for a 121-118 win over the Clippers. Harden scored 18 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter, though he missed a clean look at a 3-pointer to tie the game. But the Clippers were only in the game because Harden caught fire down the stretch.
Walsh, 21, continues to raise his stock, playing in a career-high 33 minutes Sunday. He finished with six points, eight rebounds and three assists, shooting 2-for-5 from the field. Walsh’s ability to defend the opposition’s best player has allowed him to increase his playing time in recent games.
The Celtics have had a trio of young wings show flashes to open the regular season. Currently, it’s Walsh who has impressed as he’s grabbed the fifth starter role. But Josh Minott, 22, and Hugo Gonzalez, 19, have had their moments. For now, Walsh will look to keep building now that he has his first real opportunity at playing time in his career.
“He did a great job just competing,” Clippers coach Ty Lue said of Walsh. “And same thing with James, just denying him the basketball, picking him up full-court, making it tough on him. He did a great job. He did a great job and you need guys like that on your team to come out. We’ve got a few of them on our team, as well. But I thought he did an outstanding job trying to frustrate James, wear him down, make him tired.”
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