Boston was on the road Thursday night for a matchup vs. the Wizards. Despite being down 66-59 at halftime, Washington was blown out in the second half.
This was in a game Boston was without all-star Jaylen Brown. Derrick White led the team offensively with 30 points. The second-highest scorer for the Celtics on Thursday was third-year pro Jordan Walsh. Joe Mazzulla loves using players who take pride in their defense. That’s Jordan Walsh’s game plan each night. Since Mazzulla added Walsh to the starting lineup, the Celtics are 8-2.
Jordan Walsh is playing a key role for the Celtics in 2025-26
The Celtics are 8-2 since Jordan Walsh became a starter
DIFFERENCE MAKER. pic.twitter.com/Vg9ZS7S0Zu
— jb (@lockedupjb) December 5, 2025
With a second-round pick in the 2023 NBA draft, the Kings selected Jordan Walsh out of Arkansas. However, Sacramento traded Walsh to the Celtics on draft night. That’s where the 21-year-old has spent the first three years of his NBA career. Through his first two years, Walsh played a limited role with Boston. As a rookie, he played in nine of the team’s 82 games and made one start. Despite not seeing significant playing time, Walsh won a championship with Boston as a rookie.
In year two, Walsh appeared in 52 of 82 games for the Celtics and made one start. His 7.8 minutes per game in 2024-25 were less than his playing time as a rookie. Despite that, Walsh has remained patient and waited for his opportunity. Jayson Tatum’s injury late last season has Joe Mazzulla tinkering with the lineup early in 2025-26.
Jordan Walsh tonight:
22 PTS (career high)
7 REB
3 AST
2 STL
1 BLK
8/8 FGM
1/1 3PM pic.twitter.com/qKWwY7XlCJ— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 5, 2025
The 21-year-old has played in 18 of the team’s 22 games this season. Joe Mazzulla has started Jordan Walsh in each of their last 10 games. Boston is 8-2 in that span. Jordan Walsh is a defensive first forward who continues to grow as an offensive player. He scored a career-high 22 points for the Celtics on Thursday night.
Speaking with reporters after the game, Jordan Walsh said, “Honestly, I be forgetting what happens on offense.” Walsh is so worried about the defensive assignment that he has no time to celebrate if he makes a basket.
That’s the type of player that Boston wants to have on their roster. After limited playing time over his first two seasons, Jordan Walsh is playing an expanded role in year three. Until the team shows signs of slowing down, Walsh will likely stay in the starting lineup for Boston.
