{"id":705546,"date":"2026-04-08T16:38:25","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T16:38:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/705546\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T16:38:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T16:38:25","slug":"celtics-get-massive-boost-from-unexpected-source-before-playoffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/705546\/","title":{"rendered":"Celtics Get Massive Boost From Unexpected Source Before Playoffs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Joe\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics<\/p>\n

The Boston Celtics<\/a> defeated the Charlotte Hornets<\/a> 115-102 on Tuesday night, improving to 54 wins on the season with the playoffs just around the corner. Jayson Tatum<\/a> and Jaylen Brown<\/a> were their usual selves. The second seed in the East is secure.<\/p>\n

But the story of Tuesday night belonged to someone further down the rotation.<\/p>\n

Jordan Walsh<\/a> was back. And the Celtics noticed.<\/p>\n

What Brown and Tatum Said About Walsh\"Jayson<\/p>\n

GettyBoston Celtics stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.<\/p>\n

Walsh finished with 9 points on 4-of-4 shooting, 6 rebounds, and a steal in 18 minutes<\/a>, spending much of the second half guarding LaMelo Ball<\/a>. For a player who had completely fallen out of the rotation just a few weeks ago, the performance spoke volumes.<\/p>\n

Brown, who has served as one of Walsh\u2019s mentors throughout his time in Boston, did not hold back in his praise after the game, per CelticsBlog\u2019s Noa Dalzell<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cJordan has the ability to change games,\u201d Brown said<\/a>. \u201cHis athleticism has the ability to change games. So that\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brown pointed to a specific moment in the first half as the turning point.<\/p>\n

\u201cTonight, our offense wasn\u2019t going in that second quarter,\u201d Brown said<\/a>. \u201cHe gets out and runs with the transition dump that gets us going. Plays like that are important.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tatum was equally impressed, highlighting exactly what Walsh brings when his number is called.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust being ready,\u201d Tatum said<\/a>. \u201cNot necessarily knowing when he\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked Jaylen Brown about how he\u2019s mentored Jordan Walsh this season: <\/p>\n

\u201cI definitely took a step forward in my leadership to start this season, because I knew that with a lot of guys gone, we’re going to need some guys on this team to take steps forward. I know Jordan had the\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/Gnj7fnMklb<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/TDyCFQ3dSN<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\u2014 Noa Dalzell \ud83c\udfc0 (@NoaDalzell) April 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

How Walsh Handled His Time Out of the Celtics Rotation\"Jordan<\/p>\n

GettyJordan Walsh of the Boston Celtics.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>. Then, without warning, he vanished from the rotation entirely for more than two weeks.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve gotten a piece of everybody\u2019s story,\u201d Walsh said last month<\/a>. \u201cI\u2019ve gotten their story, and they gave me their knowledge on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

His response was to keep showing up. Last to leave practice. Meticulous in the film room. Ready for the moment his opportunity returned.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s kind of just doing my best in the role that I am in now,\u201d Walsh said<\/a>. \u201cShowing up to practice, being the last one to leave. All that stuff is so cool to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coach Joe Mazzulla took notice of all of it.<\/p>\n

What Mazzulla Said About Walsh\u2019s Mindset\"Joe<\/p>\n

Photo by Luke Hales\/Getty ImagesJoe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it\u2019s not your turn, what\u2019s your mindset and what\u2019s your consistency?\u201d Mazzulla said<\/a>. \u201cStill chipping away at the workouts? How serious do you take film? Professionalism and consistency from Jordan. That\u2019s why he could pick up where he left off.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added that Walsh\u2019s mindset was the foundation for everything that followed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt starts with Jordan\u2019s mindset,\u201d Mazzulla said<\/a>. \u201cIf you\u2019re not playing, how are you getting better? And so he continues to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Over the past seven games, Walsh has averaged 20.2 minutes per game after his return to the rotation<\/a>. The playoffs will be his first taste of postseason basketball. Brown is looking forward to seeing how that unfolds.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlayoffs is a time of year where you put it all on display,\u201d Brown said<\/a>. \u201cEverything that you learn, all the discipline that you\u2019ve acquired. The ultimate test is coming up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Final Word for the Celtics<\/p>\n

Walsh\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Mazzulla put it simply.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe story of our season up until this point,\u201d he said<\/a>, \u201cis we got 14, 15 guys that can impact winning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fifty-four wins. The playoffs approaching. Walsh is ready.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tKeith Watkins<\/a> Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

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