There hasn’t been a better time in recent years for young players to break into the Boston Celtics’ rotation than this season. Head coach Joe Mazzulla made that clear early in the 2025-26 campaign, repeatedly noting that Boston wouldn’t be tied to a set rotation. And 50 games in, that’s still very much the case.
With a roster full of new faces and developing talent, Mazzulla has kept things fluid. Minutes shift night to night, and players are constantly being evaluated-not just for what they can do, but for how they fit into a team that’s chasing wins while building something sustainable.
That’s created a season-long battle for rotation spots among Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh, and Josh Minott. All four have had their moments on the floor-and their stretches on the bench. But they’ve stayed ready, knowing opportunity can come at any moment.
Friday night against the Kings, that moment belonged to Scheierman.
With Jaylen Brown getting a night off, Mazzulla turned to the rookie from Creighton to fill the starting role. It wasn’t a surprise.
Scheierman had been one of the few bright spots during Wednesday’s loss to the Hawks, particularly with his energy in the third quarter. He carried that same edge into Friday’s game-and then some.
“I’ve tried to make the most of every opportunity I’ve gotten, and with that comes more trust,” Scheierman said postgame.
That trust paid off. Scheierman played with purpose, spacing the floor and knocking down shots with confidence.
He finished with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-7 from deep. But it wasn’t just the scoring-he brought a defensive spark, the kind that’s become his calling card.
The hustle, the reads, the motor-it was all there. And it’s exactly what Mazzulla’s been looking for.
“He's developed into a utility guy for us defensively, where he can defend different matchups,” Mazzulla said. “He's made some plays.
He draws some legal screens for us, but he can make defensive plays. He knows how to play versus cross matches at the other end.
He's been making some shots and giving us the offensive rebounds. I'm pleased with where he's grown defensively for us.”
That growth didn’t happen by accident. Scheierman came into the season determined to improve on the defensive end, and he’s been vocal about that being the area where he wanted to surprise people.
“Just being a defensive playmaker and being able to use my instincts to impact the game in a positive way on the defensive side of the ball,” he said back on media day.
And in Boston, that’s the key to staying on the floor.
Defense is the lifeblood of Mazzulla’s rotation decisions. If you want consistent minutes, you have to defend.
That’s the standard, especially for the young guys. Scheierman, Gonzalez, Walsh, and Minott have all shown flashes on that end, and they’re being pushed to bring it every night.
“Those three guys are at the top, they have to be able to defend the best player,” Mazzulla said.
That challenge was front and center Friday when Jordan Walsh checked in late in the first quarter and immediately drew the assignment of guarding Zach LaVine. The Kings guard came out hot-nine quick points on efficient shooting and trips to the line-but Walsh stuck with it, made things tougher, and helped slow him down as the game went on.
LaVine finished with just eight more points the rest of the night and sat much of the second half, but Walsh’s defensive presence made an impact.
“I thought Jordan kind of took ownership of [wanting to defend LaVine],” Mazzulla said. “We gave up some tendency stuff, where it was… LaVine got three left shots to his left hand, and we fouled him on a jump shot twice, and he was a little comfortable there.”
It’s a learning process. But it’s one that’s made easier by the depth Boston has at its disposal.
When Walsh sits, Gonzalez steps up. When Gonzalez needs a breather, Scheierman checks in.
There’s always someone ready to bring defensive energy and keep the pressure on.
That next-man-up mentality is part of what’s made this group so intriguing. They’re not just filling minutes-they’re competing, evolving, and pushing each other to be better.
“The ownership from, you know, Jordan, Hugo, and Baylor to be better at that is kind of the growth of those guys as defenders,” Mazzulla said.
For now, the Celtics aren’t just developing young talent-they’re building a defensive identity that runs deeper than the starting five. And if Scheierman’s performance against Sacramento is any indication, the kids are more than alright. They’re coming for real roles-and they’re earning them the hard way.