Whether it's watching live or reflecting on a game, it's easy to gloss over the plays that prove inconsequential. However, sometimes those provide the greatest lessons. That was the case for Josh Minott on Tuesday.
That night at the Barclays Center, the Boston Celtics earned a 113-99 victory vs. the Brooklyn Nets. Early in the third quarter, Josh Minott went underneath a screen for Michael Porter Jr.
Joe Mazzulla said Josh Minott's reaction to this play exemplified his growth & understanding of the importance of the 10-15 possessions w/ the most weight in determining the outcome:
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) November 21, 2025
"He goes under a Michael Porter dribble hand-off, and he doesn't make it, but he's still upset… https://t.co/yHnjm2hpiO pic.twitter.com/Est7OpqSL4
The hosts' top offensive option started the game off scorching, making 6/8 attempts, including all three shots he hoisted from behind the arc. However, after the intermission, Porter cooled off. He missed his first two shots, but then he got a dunk on the heels of a Minott made free throw.
His next shot was the one the latter went underneath the screen on, giving him a relatively clean look at a three. That could have been the moment that the Nets' number one offensive threat recaptured his rhythm and ignited a fire difficult to extinguish.
That Porter's shot ricocheted off the rim was practically inconsequential to Minott. His head coach appreciated his reaction and what it signified.
Josh Minott's maturation
Every game, there are about 10-15 plays that carry more weight than the rest. While it may sound like a straw man to some, Porter sinking that shot could have posed a significant problem for Boston that night. While the Celtics won by 14, the score was tied at 90 during the final frame.
If, instead of going 2/8 from the field, including 1/5 from three-point range, in the second half, the seventh-year forward and former champion got back in rhythm, Brooklyn would've had a more reliable source of offense to feed off.
Minott identifying that in real-time speaks to his growth in an area essential to knowing how and being able to win in the NBA.
"He goes under a Michael Porter dribble hand-off, and he doesn't make it, but he's still upset with himself, and that's the process of it, of like, that's not good defense, that's a poor read, and you have to hold yourself accountable to it," Mazzulla said after Thursday's practice. "And so Josh, seeing the appreciation and the importance of that play, [that] goes to show his growth. And he called it out right away.
"So it's just having an understanding of the process and the details of what looks like a solid possession on either end of the floor, regardless of what happens. And can you fight and train yourself to be as disciplined as you can in this?"