Jordan Walsh explains the roots of his most significant career leap

On the one hand, the sample size consists of only a handful of games. On the other hand, it seems undeniable that Jordan Walsh is playing the best ball of his career. In his third season, one where he's fighting for his spot with the Boston Celtics and perhaps his NBA future, he has returned as a better player on both ends of the floor.

During training camp, he told Hardwood Houdini his "role player IQ" is an area in which he made one of his most significant leaps. His shot was the other. Specifically, ensuring he doesn't have "lazy feet," instead utilizing "quicker feet into the jump shot."

What that has led to is consistency. The six-foot-six wing continues to build on each performance. Walsh is knocking down shots, like his dagger three in the Celtics' 111-107 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday. What he is doing on the defensive end of the floor is even more impressive.

In Tuesday's 102-100 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, the 21-year-old Texas native hounded Tyrese Maxey. He moved his feet and utilized his length to make him uncomfortable and challenge shots.

In the final frame, the Sixers' star guard went 1/4 against Walsh, including 1/3 in crunch time, defined as the final five minutes of a game that's within five points.

When asked post-game how much of his repeatedly getting stops against a player who ranks in the top five in scoring, averaging 32.1 points per game, stems from an increased understanding of tendencies compared to the effort he's playing with, understanding the importance of this season for him, the former Arkansas Razorback conveyed the following to Hardwood Houdini.

"It's definitely a huge combination of both," said Walsh. "I think a big part of it is knowing their tendencies, because the way that we play is if you can make them take a shot that we want them to take, then -- and if he makes it, then it's like, 'alright, kudos to him.' Just trying to force him into uncomfortable situations, where he has to play a different style of basketball than he's used to."

The Celtics share their view on Jordan Walsh's growth

One of the main objectives for the Celtics this season is to help develop players who are eager for their opportunity. It's about finding long-term contributors. Individuals who can help them contend for the Larry O'Brien Trophy when they're ready to rejoin the championship conversation.

Walsh's development is a prime example of the encouraging early returns Boston is seeing with an array of players on that front.

"Jordan was great tonight," Jaylen Brown told Hardwood Houdini after Tuesday's tilt. "He's shooting the ball well, he's doing his job. So, it's a good sign from Jordan."

Speaking to how Walsh's increased "role player IQ" is translating to on-court production, Joe Mazzulla conveyed the following.

"He's learning the understanding of the identity," he told Hardwood Houdini. "The effort that he plays with on the defensive end, the different ways that he could play-make on the offensive end, whether it's screening, whether it's offensive rebounding, knocking down open shots, which he's done. So, he's just getting better and better and gotta keep it up."

So far, Walsh has done that, stringing together impactful performances. While there are still 70 regular-season games left, what he's showing in the infancy of the 2025-26 campaign is that in a year where it matters more than ever, he has figured out how to be productive consistently and stand out within his role.