Superstar players are essential to winning an NBA title, perhaps more than in any other major North American sports league. But role players still can make a huge difference on the road to a championship.<\/p>\n
Role players have the ability to swing a game in your favor, and sometimes even an entire series. <\/p>\n
Celtics playoff history is full of examples. <\/p>\n
Glenn McDonald played a pivotal role in the triple-overtime Game 5 classic against the Phoenix Suns in the 1976 NBA Finals. Leon Powe dominated the Lakers with 21 points in Game 2 of the 2008 NBA Finals. James Posey hit a couple huge 3-pointers in Boston’s historic comeback win over the Lakers in Game 4 of the 2008 Finals. Sam Hauser shot 47.8 percent on 3-pointers in the 2024 NBA Finals win over the Mavericks.<\/p>\n
Who could be the 2026 role player who steps up in a few key moments during the playoffs? <\/p>\n
One of the top candidates is Baylor Scheierman.<\/p>\n
Scheierman has taken a huge step forward in his development this season as a second-year player. One of the best examples came in Sunday’s regular season finale, when he led the Celtics to an exciting win over the Orlando Magic<\/a> with a career-high 30 points, along with seven rebounds and seven assists.<\/p>\n The last game of the season often produces some funny stat lines, especially if one or both teams involved don’t need to win. But Scheierman’s recent surge isn’t just one game. He also shined Thursday night against the New York Knicks<\/a> at Madison Square Garden with 20 points on 6-for-7 shooting on 3-pointers.<\/p>\n “It’s been a lot of fun,” Scheierman told reporters after Sunday’s win when asked what the last five or so days have been like for him. “I’ve got a lot of internal confidence in myself. … I don’t really weigh too much on a single game regardless if it goes well or bad. <\/p>\n “I’m super excited and super proud of the effort we put out as a team tonight and super proud of myself. Now we move on and get ready for the best time of the year, which is the playoffs.”<\/p>\n Since the All-Star break, Scheierman has taken advantage of an increased role. He has more than doubled his points per game and is shooting better than 40 percent from 3-point range. <\/p>\n It’s not like Scheierman is just dining out on wide open 3-pointers, either. He’s capable of creating his own shot off the dribble and making contested 3-point shots. He shot 4-for-9 on 3-pointers this season when the nearest defender was in tight coverage, which the league defines as two-to-four feet of space.<\/p>\n He’s also been close to automatic from the free throw line since the All-Star break, while contributing as a rebounder and passer. A fractured thumb suffered against the Nets on Feb. 27 has not slowed down Scheierman one bit.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Scheierman’s ability to get hot from 3-point range could be pretty valuable in the playoffs, especially when you look at which teams the C’s might play in the Eastern Conference.<\/p>\n