Is there anything more exciting than watching a young player blossom before your eyes? For Celtics fans, that's exactly what's happening with Jordan Walsh. Once glued to the bench, he's now a key starter, and teammate Jaylen Brown is taking notice, saying Walsh is "playing like a grown man!" But what changed? Let's dive into Walsh's incredible rise and what it means for the Celtics.
Early in the 2025-2026 season, Walsh's role was minimal, to say the least. In October, the third-year wing barely saw the court, logging a mere four minutes across three games. Coach Joe Mazzulla experimented with different lineups, but Walsh struggled to find his place.
Fast forward to the last few weeks, and the story is dramatically different. Walsh has started the last nine games, proving his worth with impactful plays. His performance in the Celtics' recent victory over the Knicks at TD Garden was a turning point. During crunch time, Walsh seemed to be everywhere, disrupting the Knicks' comeback attempts with crucial rebounds and steals. He credits Jaylen Brown with aiding his development, and Brown has returned the compliment with high praise. "I’m starting to see Jordan playing like a grown man," Brown said. "And it’s amazing to see. Just from him coming out of his shell. Being aggressive. He’s learning every day. So I’m loving it."
Coach Mazzulla's decision to insert Walsh back into the game midway through the fourth quarter against the Knicks proved to be a masterstroke. Walsh immediately impacted the game, demonstrating his hustle and determination. On consecutive possessions, he fought for offensive rebounds, converting one into a put-back bucket. He then followed up with a steal, showcasing his defensive prowess, and grabbed another offensive rebound following a missed three-pointer by Derrick White. These weren't just lucky plays; they were the result of hard work and improved instincts.
But here's where it gets controversial... While the box score highlights the rebounds and steals, Coach Mazzulla pointed to a more subtle, yet equally important, aspect of Walsh's game: his evolving understanding of the Celtics' offensive system. Mazzulla noted an "evolution" in both Walsh and Josh Minott's game. When the Knicks began double-teaming the red-hot Jaylen Brown, who was on his way to a season-high 42 points, Walsh made the smart pass to a wide-open Minott, leading to open three-point opportunities.
"It was more just a read," Walsh explained. "Usually JB’s the guy in the middle and making the play through the seam. It ended up being me and Josh a lot tonight. I ended up finding him, he hit a 3. I found him again and he didn’t make it. But we got good possessions out of it. I think it was just the flow of the game, making the right read, being aggressive.” This ability to make the right read under pressure is a sign of Walsh's growing maturity and basketball IQ.
Walsh's defensive improvements have been particularly noticeable. His length, physicality, and instincts have caused problems for some of the league's top players. He's not just a defensive specialist, though; he's also showing flashes of offensive potential.
And this is the part most people miss... While there's still a long way to go for the 21-year-old, the early signs are incredibly promising. Walsh appears to be a key piece of the Celtics' future, not just for this season but for years to come. His ability to make the right reads and play complementary basketball with stars like Brown will be even more crucial when Jayson Tatum returns to full strength.
Walsh himself acknowledges the progress he's made. "I’m way more calm, way more focused and obviously has slowed down a lot since my rookie year," Walsh said. "I was a mess rookie year. I was just running around.” This self-awareness is a positive sign, indicating that Walsh is committed to continuous improvement.
What do you think? Is Jordan Walsh the next big thing for the Celtics? Will his growth continue at this pace, or will he face challenges along the way? Is he more valuable to the Celtics' future than Josh Minott, or do they both have bright futures in Boston? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
