Jordan Walsh played the best game of his young career against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night. Walsh has now started seven consecutive games for the Celtics and appears to be growing in confidence with each start. The 21-year-old rangy wing did it all on a night that the Celtics were supposed to be dead in the water. Coming off a highly physical game against the Minnesota Timberwolves the previous night, in Minnesota, the Celtics were down Neemias Queta and Derrick White; this was a patented NBA schedule loss. Jordan Walsh provided the energy the Celtics needed to secure a gritty road win.
Jordan Walsh is beginning to fulfil the vision Brad Stevens had when he drafted Walsh out of Arkansas in the 2023 NBA draft. Stevens drafted a chaos-creating six-foot-seven wing with a seven-foot-two wingspan who possessed a relentless motor, explosive athleticism, and a sneaky smooth offensive game. The vision was clear. Could Walsh unleash his freakish dimensions on opposing star ball handlers, wreak havoc on the glass, and occasionally hit an open three-point shot? Until a few weeks ago, the answer was looking like an emphatic no. Fast forward to November 30th, and the tide has turned.
The play that stuck out to Joe Mazzulla in the win against the Cavs was when Walsh strip-sacked DeAndre Hunter, drew a foul, and knocked down the two free throws.
“To me, the play was taking the ball and getting the foul.”
When asked about the play, Walsh answered with a smirk.
“I went for a jump ball. I was kind of just holding on to it, they didn’t call a jump ball, so I was like, as a matter of fact, lemme just get that.”
Jordan Walsh is brimming with confidence.
Joe Mazzulla believes that Jordan Walsh’s continued growth and development are key if the Celtics want to keep climbing the Eastern Conference standings.
“You know, solely understanding what the role has to be every single night, and it’s a difficult task, but tonight you saw the best version of what he is on both ends of the floor, and he can be that every night, and he’s learning that. But that’s the Jordan that we need, you know, if we want to get to a different level this year he’s gotta keep working it. Tonight is a perfect example of him at his best.”
High praise from head coach Joe Mazzulla. And they aren’t empty words. Actions speak louder than words, and Mazzulla’s actions speak volumes. Jordan Walsh has not only logged a career high of seven straight starts. But in the game against Cleveland, Walsh logged 38 minutes for the Celtics. That led the team. Walsh turned those minutes into a career-high 14 points and a career-high 11 rebounds, to go along with an assist, two steals, and a block. All while being the primary defender on Donovan Mitchell, who he held in check.
It’s hard to overstate how impactful it would be for the long-term outlook for the Celtics if Jordan Walsh is able to continue developing into this swiss army knife wing. There was a play tonight that reminded me of someone who has been sitting in street clothes for the entirety of the 2025-2026 season.
A wing that is defending the opposing team’s big man, who plays perfect help defense, collects a block, and gets the break started? Perhaps Walsh has learnt a thing or two from watching Jayson Tatum be one of the league’s most versatile defenders.
It’s only seven career starts, however, Jordan Walsh is giving Celtics fans a lot to be excited about.