Jordan Walsh’s Patience Is Paying Off in Boston - and the Celtics Are Reaping the Rewards
BOSTON - When Jordan Walsh heard his name called in the 2023 NBA Draft, he landed in one of the league’s most storied franchises - and one of its most crowded rotations. For any 19-year-old rookie, that’s both a dream and a challenge. In Walsh’s case, it meant two full seasons of waiting, working, and watching from the bench as the Celtics chased, and eventually captured, a championship.
Now, in year three, that patience is finally turning into opportunity - and Walsh is making the most of it.
Let’s rewind for a moment. The Celtics didn’t just draft a raw prospect - they traded into the second round to get him.
A one-and-done freshman with length, defensive upside, and a motor that never quits, Walsh was seen as a long-term project. And Brad Stevens, Boston’s President of Basketball Operations, made it clear from the jump: there was no immediate path into the rotation.
“I knew he had no prayer on the first team,” Stevens said this week, cracking a smile. “The first team was really good.”
He wasn’t wrong. The 2023-24 Celtics were a juggernaut - deep, experienced, and laser-focused on a title run.
They got it done, hoisting Banner 18 with a dominant postseason run. And when the team largely returned intact the following season, the message to young players like Walsh was the same: be ready, but be patient.
That’s exactly what Walsh did. He put in the work in the G League, stayed locked in during practices, and brought relentless energy in the limited minutes he did get. And now, with Jayson Tatum sidelined indefinitely due to an Achilles injury, the door has finally opened.
Walsh has stepped into a starting role in 14 of the 22 games he’s played this season - a massive leap after just two combined starts over his first two years. And he’s not just filling space; he’s producing.
Through the first quarter of the 2025-26 season, Walsh is averaging career-highs across the board: 21.3 minutes, 7.7 points on an eye-popping 60.4% shooting, 5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. That’s not just solid - that’s efficient, impactful basketball from a player who’s still just 21 years old.
“When he got here, he was young,” Stevens said. “You have to give [young players] the grace of time.”
And Walsh has used that time wisely. Offensively, he’s simplified his game - cutting hard, finishing plays, and picking his spots.
Brad Stevens joked that he knew it would be hard for Jordan Walsh to play a lot in his first year:
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) December 17, 2025
“I knew he had no prayer on the first team.”
He then praised his consistency:
“Your role expands when you show you can consistently do the simplest of things.” pic.twitter.com/EajCg445Gs
His shooting touch has improved, but it’s his decision-making that’s really starting to shine. He’s seeing the floor better, making the extra pass, and understanding when to attack and when to defer.
“Sometimes it takes steps,” Stevens said. “You start to see Jordan now, occasionally more … dumping it to Neemias [Queta] for a dunk or dumping it to somebody else off of a roll or kicking it out off of a roll.”
Apologies for the poor audio, but good answer from Jaylen Brown on the potential Jordan Walsh showed guarding James Harden:
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) November 16, 2025
“That’s what this team needs, somebody that can go guard the best player every single night.” pic.twitter.com/YvBciM99tP
It’s the kind of growth that coaches love - not flashy, but foundational. The little things that help win games. And for a team with title aspirations, that matters.
“Your role expands when you show that you can consistently be good in the simplest of things,” Stevens added. “And I say simplest, but it's hard to play that hard, especially against the guys he's guarding. But he's doing a good job.”
That’s high praise from the reigning NBA Executive of the Year - and it’s earned.
Defensively, Walsh has always been a pest - the kind of wing who relishes the challenge of guarding top scorers. Now, with more minutes and responsibility, he’s showing he can sustain that intensity night after night. Whether he’s chasing shooters off screens or battling in the post, he’s making life difficult for opponents.
And while the Celtics would obviously prefer to have Tatum healthy, Walsh’s emergence is a silver lining. He’s not just holding the fort - he’s growing into a role that could make Boston even more dangerous down the stretch.
For a young player who’s waited two seasons for his shot, this moment is about more than numbers or starts. It’s about proving he belongs - and showing that the Celtics’ long-term investment is starting to pay off.
Jordan Walsh isn’t just filling in. He’s arriving.