The Boston Celtics defeated the Charlotte Hornets 115-102 on Tuesday night, improving to 54 wins on the season with the playoffs just around the corner. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were their usual selves. The second seed in the East is secure.
But the story of Tuesday night belonged to someone further down the rotation.
Jordan Walsh was back. And the Celtics noticed.
What Brown and Tatum Said About Walsh
GettyBoston Celtics stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Walsh finished with 9 points on 4-of-4 shooting, 6 rebounds, and a steal in 18 minutes, spending much of the second half guarding LaMelo Ball. For a player who had completely fallen out of the rotation just a few weeks ago, the performance spoke volumes.
Brown, who has served as one of Walsh’s mentors throughout his time in Boston, did not hold back in his praise after the game, per CelticsBlog’s Noa Dalzell.
“Jordan has the ability to change games,” Brown said. “His athleticism has the ability to change games. So that’s something that in the playoffs or future certain matchups, that will definitely be just continuing to urge him to have discipline and make the right plays out there and bring energy to our group. It makes a big difference.”
Brown pointed to a specific moment in the first half as the turning point.
“Tonight, our offense wasn’t going in that second quarter,” Brown said. “He gets out and runs with the transition dump that gets us going. Plays like that are important.”
Tatum was equally impressed, highlighting exactly what Walsh brings when his number is called.
“Just being ready,” Tatum said. “Not necessarily knowing when he’s going to get in, but knowing that part of being a professional is when your number is called to come in and change the game. Crash the glass, defensive rebound, pick up 94-feet, hit open shots. And give him credit, he definitely did. He changed the energy of the game.”
How Walsh Handled His Time Out of the Celtics Rotation
GettyJordan Walsh of the Boston Celtics.
The praise from Brown and Tatum means more when you understand what Walsh went through to earn it. At one point this season, he had started 20 consecutive games for the Celtics, going 15-5 in that stretch. Then, without warning, he vanished from the rotation entirely for more than two weeks.
Rather than sulk, Walsh leaned on his teammates for perspective. He sought out the stories of players who had navigated similar stretches, including Brown and Payton Pritchard.
“I’ve gotten a piece of everybody’s story,” Walsh said last month. “I’ve gotten their story, and they gave me their knowledge on it.”
His response was to keep showing up. Last to leave practice. Meticulous in the film room. Ready for the moment his opportunity returned.
“It’s kind of just doing my best in the role that I am in now,” Walsh said. “Showing up to practice, being the last one to leave. All that stuff is so cool to me.”
Coach Joe Mazzulla took notice of all of it.
What Mazzulla Said About Walsh’s Mindset
Photo by Luke Hales/Getty ImagesJoe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics.
Mazzulla has watched Walsh maintain his professionalism through every twist of a complicated season. On Tuesday, he made clear that the consistency behind the scenes was the reason Walsh was ready when his moment came.
“When it’s not your turn, what’s your mindset and what’s your consistency?” Mazzulla said. “Still chipping away at the workouts? How serious do you take film? Professionalism and consistency from Jordan. That’s why he could pick up where he left off.”
He added that Walsh’s mindset was the foundation for everything that followed.
“It starts with Jordan’s mindset,” Mazzulla said. “If you’re not playing, how are you getting better? And so he continues to do that.”
Over the past seven games, Walsh has averaged 20.2 minutes per game after his return to the rotation. The playoffs will be his first taste of postseason basketball. Brown is looking forward to seeing how that unfolds.
“Playoffs is a time of year where you put it all on display,” Brown said. “Everything that you learn, all the discipline that you’ve acquired. The ultimate test is coming up.”
Final Word for the Celtics
Walsh’s story is the story of this Celtics season. Different players stepping up on different nights. A roster built on depth, professionalism, and a willingness to stay ready even when the spotlight is elsewhere.
Mazzulla put it simply.
“The story of our season up until this point,” he said, “is we got 14, 15 guys that can impact winning.”
Fifty-four wins. The playoffs approaching. Walsh is ready.
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