Josh Minott wasn’t supposed to be a story in Boston this season. When the Celtics signed the 23-year-old forward over the summer, it looked like a low-risk flyer-just a depth piece, a developmental swing on a guy who had spent most of his first three NBA seasons watching from the Minnesota Timberwolves bench.
But 20 games into his Celtics tenure, Minott is doing more than just sticking around. He’s making a real impact on a team with championship aspirations.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just a feel-good story about a bench player finding minutes. Minott has been a legitimate difference-maker for Boston, especially when it comes to effort plays and energy-two things that don’t always show up in the box score, but absolutely show up in wins.
When the Celtics were struggling to clean the glass early in the season, it was Minott who helped stabilize things. His motor on the boards has been relentless, and he’s averaging five rebounds per game despite not always playing heavy minutes. That kind of production from a wing is huge, especially on a team that relies heavily on its perimeter size and switchability.
But the biggest surprise? The shooting.
Minott has been lights out from deep, knocking down 42.9% of his three-point attempts-a career-best mark by a mile. He’s gone from a guy who barely shot threes in Minnesota to someone who now inspires real confidence when he lets it fly.
It’s not just the percentage, it’s the volume too. Through 20 games in Boston, he’s already attempted 56 threes-just three shy of his total attempts from his first three seasons combined (59).
That’s not just progress; that’s a leap.
And it’s not like his role has stayed constant. Even after moving back to the bench in favor of rookie Jordan Walsh, Minott hasn’t let his production dip. His energy, shooting, and defensive presence have remained consistent-signs of a player who’s not just catching fire but figuring things out.
Minott credits the environment in Boston for his growth. “It’s just a blessing to be here, truthfully,” he said earlier this season. “From the coaching staff to the training staff to the equipment managers, teammates - everyone just helps me to be the person I’m trying to be.”
That kind of support matters, especially for a young player still carving out his place in the league. And the Celtics have shown they believe in him-not just with words, but with minutes.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla hasn’t been shy about holding him accountable either. When Minott makes mistakes, he hears about it.
But that’s part of the process.
“There’s no better sign of love than holding him accountable,” Mazzulla said recently.
And that accountability is paying off. Minott is starting to look like a real rotation piece on a contending team.
He defends, rebounds, hustles, and now he’s hitting shots. That’s the kind of player every playoff team needs in the trenches-someone who doesn’t need the ball to make an impact but can still swing a game with effort and timely plays.
It’s early, sure. But if the first 20 games are any indication, Josh Minott might not just be a pleasant surprise-he might be a key part of what Boston is building.