In the Boston Celtics' 131-95 victory vs. the Memphis Grizzlies, for the third time in his career, Jordan Walsh joined the starting lineup. It was a nice reward for someone playing the best basketball of his career.
The six-foot-six wing entered his third year in the NBA understanding that he was fighting for his Celtics tenure and perhaps his place in the league. He had to figure out how to break through. To do so, he told Hardwood Houdini that his most significant growth this offseason came from elevating his "role player IQ."
Better learning how to thrive in the role he plays in Boston has helped Walsh build on each opportunity this season. That consistency has led to more minutes, getting a chance to start in Wednesday's win, and converting his defensive potential into production.
The former Arkansas Razorback, best known during college for being a menace on that side of the ball, has been a disruptive defensive presence while showcasing his versatility. Walsh has hounded players ranging from Paolo Banchero to Tyrese Maxey and Jaren Jackson Jr.
"It's definitely a huge combination of both," Walsh told Hardwood Houdini about the role winning with anticipation is playing in his defensive display compared to the effort he's playing with. "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."
Sam Hauser shares his view of Jordan Walsh's growth
People can get impatient, especially in a sports-crazed region. However, it's important to remember Walsh spent one year in college. He got drafted 38th overall at the age of 19. It shouldn't come as a surprise that it took someone in that situation time to adapt to playing at basketball's highest level. The same goes for learning how to succeed in his role, which comes with fewer minutes and touches than he has had before reaching the stage with the hardest competition.
However, even when it was happening behind the scenes or in the G League, as Sam Hauser discussed after Friday's practice, the 21-year-old wing has always put in the work to achieve the breakout that's starting to happen.
I asked Sam Hauser for his perspective on Jordan Walsh’s maturation and the growth of his game.
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) November 14, 2025
“People forget, he was 19 as a rookie…Credit to him to put the work in…He waited his turn and now he’s taking full advantage of it. It’s been great to see.” pic.twitter.com/8AUlbss6Dh
"It's been great to see him get his chance, get his opportunity, and take full advantage of it," Hauser told Hardwood Houdini. "When he first got here, he spent a lot of time in the G League, working on his game, getting better. He was so young. People forget, he was 19 as a rookie. When I was 19, I definitely wasn't ready to be a professional.
"So, credit to him to put the work in; ask questions to vets; watch film to learn, and get better each and every day. And sometimes, you've got to wait your turn, and he waited his turn, and now he’s taking full advantage of it. It’s been cool to see."