Jordan Walsh appears to be in the Boston Celtics' starting lineup to begin the 2026-27 season.
"Jordan continues to be really good at the start of games, guarding the other team's best player, getting off to a good start defensively," said Joe Mazzulla after Boston's 114-93 exhibition win over the Charlotte Hornets. "It's a huge role for him that we're gonna need from him."
With Walsh taking on that role defensively, Derrick White and Paul George can cause havoc off the ball. It will also help pace two players in their 30s.
The starting lineup will remain fluid, though. As the regular season ebbs and flows, others will get their opportunities to join the first unit. Who's in at the end of games is likely less flexible.
Payton Pritchard entrenched in Celtics' closing lineup
At least he should be. Foul trouble or even a hot hand could change the equation for a player who isn't named Jayson Tatum. Even an off night could compel Joe Mazzulla to call on someone else.
However, Pritchard should be a regular part of Boston's closing lineup. Even as this team's sixth man, he could finish as its second-leading scorer.
He gives the Celtics another ball-handler, one who tied Deni Avdija for the most points per possession when bringing the ball up the floor last season, per the ALL NBA Podcast.
The six-foot-one guard is also a knockdown catch-and-shoot threat from beyond the arc. That makes him a stellar kick-out option. He also forms a potent pairing with Tatum.
That tandem produced 46.1 points in 18.5 minutes together last season. They also generated a 123.2 offensive rating. Whether they're working together in the pick-and-roll or one of them is a pass away, it puts the defense in a bind. Giving either of them space likely means seeing the ball go through the net.
The Celtics need to close with their best 5
Who ends the game matters more than who's on the floor for tip-off. Pritchard coming off the bench makes it easier to manage minutes in the backcourt. There's still a strong case for starting him, but the same is true for several players, including Walsh.
Boston ranked 23rd in clutch-time scoring last season. The C's averaged 8.2 points in the final five minutes of matchups within five points. The gap separating them from first place was small. The Denver Nuggets led the league with 12.0 points per contest in crunch time. The Detroit Pistons rounded out the top 10, averaging 9.2 points in the clutch.
The narrow margins amplify the importance of having the right personnel on the floor. Pritchard is a dynamic scorer and an excellent fit alongside the Celtics' best player. In NBA.com's annual GMs survey, the former Oregon standout was predicted as a breakout player this year. Helping steer Boston into the win column in crunch time could and should contribute to that leap.
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