Jordan Walsh was an unheralded star in the Boston Celtics' 107-103 win against the New York Knicks.
The fourth-year wing spent much of his time matched up against Jalen Brunson. The 2025-26 NBA Finals MVP finished 2/5 against Walsh. He scored just five points and dished out only one assist. And he never earned a trip to the free-throw line while guarded by the former Arkansas Razorback.
Even his makes required knocking down a well-contested mid-range jumper. His second basket against Walsh came from capitalizing on a look from beyond the arc after the latter pinched in to help prevent OG Anunoby from driving into the paint. He quickly closed out to Brunson, but the three-time All-Star was unfazed. To Walsh's credit, he didn't foul him on the closeout.
"I thought he was special. I thought he set the tone," said Paul George from the winning locker room. "Obviously, Jalen is a handful, but for a young guy, he can be a lot. Jordan took the challenge. He did a great job, navigating being physical without being overly physical. And I thought he gave him some good looks defensively to frustrate him or try to get him out of a little rhythm."
Jordan Walsh was a star in his role in Celtics' win vs. Knicks
The six-foot-six wing has quick feet and a seven-foot-two wingspan. His work in the film room allows him to pair those physical gifts with the ability to win with anticipation. Understanding tendencies is crucial to his role defensively.
Joe Mazzulla wants him to guard the other team's best player. It's at the heart of why he's in the starting lineup to begin the season. He's well equipped for that job. It also frees Derrick White and Paul George to cause havoc off the ball. And it helps manage the workload of two teammates in their 30s.
Against Brunson, Walsh applied full-court pressure at times. In boxing parlance, it's like delivering a body blow. It forced New York to get into its initial actions later in the shot clock on those possessions. His quick feet and length allowed him to stay with the three-time All-NBA selection on those herky-jerky movements and counter the star guard's ability to stop on a dime.
The 22-year-old wing refused to let Brunson outmuscle him to create separation. He also did a commendable job while fighting over screens. Even the two fouls he picked up when trying to blast through picks to get Walsh detached him earned praise from Mazzulla after the game. George credited him for setting the tone at the start of Friday night's rivalry clash. His head coach noted how important Walsh's play at both ends of the floor was at the beginning of the second half.
"It's not easy. He's a guy that can keep his dribble. He can create separation; multiple moves. I thought Jordan's start of the second half was important for us. He had the layup in transition. He had the catch-and-shoot 3, and he had some great defensive possessions. Even when he fouled, we need that type of physicality," said Mazzulla. "I thought tonight you saw a version of, like, at his best that's what he's got to be for us."
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