Jordan Walsh is starting to look like himself again-and that’s big news for the Boston Celtics.
Back in November, the 21-year-old forward was one of the most exciting developments on a Celtics team already stacked with talent. He carved out a spot in Joe Mazzulla’s starting lineup during Boston’s scorching run from mid-November to mid-December, doing all the little things that don’t always show up in the box score: defending multiple positions, crashing the glass, and finishing efficiently when called upon. He brought energy, toughness, and a sense of purpose every night, and the wins piled up.
But then came a setback. Walsh got sick, missed a few games, and when he returned after Christmas, something was off.
The motor was still there, but the rhythm? Not so much.
His minutes dipped, and Mazzulla moved him back to the bench to open the new year against Sacramento. That reset seemed to help-Walsh responded with a double-double-but consistency remained elusive.
Fast forward to this week, and there are signs that the arrow is pointing back up.
In Monday’s loss to the Pacers, Walsh looked more like the version of himself that helped Boston dominate earlier this season. And on Thursday night in Miami, he took another step toward reestablishing that consistency.
He finished with just four points and eight rebounds, but the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Half of those rebounds came on the offensive glass, and every one of them mattered.
Boston scored 31 second-chance points-a massive number in a game where they needed every extra possession.
The Celtics came out flat, trailing by 19 early, but the energy shifted when Walsh and the bench unit checked in. By the end of the first quarter, the lead was down to 11, and Boston was back in it. They clawed their way to a 119-114 win, snapping a two-game skid in the process.
Walsh wasn’t lighting up the scoreboard, but he looked confident when the ball found him. He stayed aggressive, stayed within the flow of the offense, and made plays when the moment called for it.
And defensively? That’s where he made his biggest mark.
Before he even scored a point, Walsh had already racked up seven rebounds and a block. His energy was infectious. He helped set the tone alongside fellow wing Hugo Gonzalez, and together they disrupted Miami’s rhythm with their length and physicality.
After the game, Mazzulla made it clear just how much he values what Walsh brings to the table.
“Jordan’s versatility goes unnoticed a little bit,” Mazzulla said. “He’s guarded [Bam] Adebayo both times we’ve played them... He’s just a really physical guy who’s really versatile on both ends.”
That versatility is exactly what Boston needs from him. They don’t need him to be a high-usage scorer.
They need him to defend, rebound, make the smart play, and take the open shot when it’s there. And when he’s playing with confidence-like he was during that dominant stretch earlier this season-the Celtics feel like a different team.
Let’s not forget: that hot streak came during a brutal part of the schedule. And yet, with Walsh in the mix, Boston rattled off wins against teams like the Knicks, Cavs, Lakers, Magic, and Raptors (twice). His presence mattered, even if his box score didn’t always pop.
There’s a reason why a 6’7” wing with a 7’3” wingspan who can defend multiple positions and knock down the occasional three is so valuable in today’s NBA. Walsh fits the modern mold of a winning role player-long, athletic, switchable, and unafraid of the moment.
If these last two games are any indication, the Celtics might be getting that version of Jordan Walsh back. And if they do? That’s a problem for the rest of the league.