22-Year-Old Forward’s Role Shifts as Jordan Walsh Emerges for Celtics
The Boston Celtics suffered a narrow 102-100 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night, but the story wasn’t just about the final score. One of Boston’s regular starters, Josh Minott, spent the entire second half on the bench after being replaced in the starting five by Jordan Walsh at the start of the third quarter. Minott played eight minutes in the first half, making his only shot, a three-pointer, but also committed three fouls in ten minutes. The Celtics were outscored by ten points with him on the floor, highlighting some of the struggles that have led to his diminished role. Head coach Joe Mazzulla declined to comment on the benching, saying simply, “That’s between me and Josh,” leaving fans and analysts to wonder if this signals a shift in the rotation.
Minott has been a bright spot for the Celtics early this season, starting nine straight games after Boston opened 0-3. He has averaged eight points and 5.8 rebounds over eleven appearances, proving to be a reliable contributor in an expanded role. However, his minutes have decreased in recent games due to the rise of Jordan Walsh, who has earned crunch-time minutes in both matchups against the Magic and 76ers. Hugo Gonzalez also saw regular minutes off the bench before suffering a sprained ankle in the third quarter, further emphasizing the evolving roles in Boston’s rotation. Minott will have a chance to bounce back quickly as the Celtics host the Memphis Grizzlies at TD Garden on Wednesday, but his spot in the starting lineup will be one to watch.
Meanwhile, Jordan Walsh has steadily emerged as a defensive and versatile presence for Boston. Against the 76ers, Walsh played 29 minutes, recording eight points, seven rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. He held Tyrese Maxey in check during crucial moments down the stretch, making three consecutive defensive stops that gave Boston a chance to win in the closing minutes. Walsh has now played 19 or more minutes in four straight games, consistently contributing on the glass and on defense while showing he can thrive in a larger role. “I knew the scouting report,” Walsh said. “It was to make him do things he’s not comfortable doing and take shots that we’re comfortable with him taking.”
The Celtics’ coaching staff and players have taken notice of Walsh’s development. Joe Mazzulla praised his understanding of the team’s identity and his effort on both ends of the court, noting his ability to impact the game through screening, offensive rebounding, and knocking down open shots. Jaylen Brown echoed that sentiment, calling Walsh’s performance a “good sign” for the team and acknowledging his improved shooting and commitment to doing his job. With young wings like Minott and Gonzalez also providing early-season production, Walsh’s defensive versatility and rebounding make him a strong candidate for expanded minutes in future games.
As the Celtics navigate a season full of close contests and evolving rotations, balancing minutes between Minott, Walsh, and other young contributors will be key. Minott still provides scoring and energy off the bench, but Walsh’s defensive awareness and growing chemistry with the roster give Boston more flexibility in critical stretches. Tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies, it will be interesting to see how Mazzulla manages this balance, as both players have the potential to influence the outcome while the team searches for consistency and execution in tight games.
