Paul George must earn his spot in the Celtics' closing lineup

Who finishes games matters more than who starts them. Being on the floor in crunch time, defined as the final five minutes of matchups within five points, outweighs being out there for the opening tip.

For the Boston Celtics, Paul George figures to be a fixture in their first unit. He's a nine-time All-Star making $54 million this season; he isn't coming off the bench.

In fact, the only games he didn't start after his rookie year were the first six following his traumatic leg injury, a gradual return that began at the end of the 2014-15 campaign.

Projecting as a staple of the starting lineup when he's available is one thing; there needs to be more flexibility about who's in during the final stretch.

Paul George must earn his spot in the Celtics' closing lineup

He's a six-time All-NBA selection and an excellent fit in Joe Mazzulla's system. He can absolutely become a regular part of the group Boston closes contests with.

However, if the 16-year veteran is having an off night or going through a rough stretch, there are too many appealing alternatives for him to be entrenched in the unit that's on the floor in the late stages.

Those are valuable reps for burgeoning talents like Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, and Jordan Walsh. If they earn them, especially when George isn't playing well, they should get those opportunities.

Whether that happens and how much flexibility there is in the closing lineup are fascinating subplots to monitor.

The Celtics must be willing to adapt at the end of games

Mazzulla is one of the NBA's best bench bosses. He earned Coach of the Year last season. He and his staff did an outstanding job schematically and with player development to get the most out of a roster that had just undergone a dramatic makeover. His team has also taken on his mentality. That buy-in is crucial. It was also a significant step in the Celtics becoming NBA champions in 2023-24.

However, at times, Boston has paid the price for being stubborn. Sticking with Kristaps Porzingis in the playoffs two years ago, rather than giving more minutes to Luke Kornet, proved costly. Last postseason, the young wings who were crucial to generating extra possessions, brought valuable versatility, and are better defenders than Sam Hauser deserved more run.

George's pedigree and what he's still capable of could enable him to solidify a spot in the closing lineup. However, if he doesn't, there are plenty of options that Mazzulla should be turning to in the final stretch.

Reputation and the possibility that he might provide something he isn't are not strong enough reasons to include him if others are making a greater impact.

Why Paul George could become a staple of the Celtics' closing lineup

Even at 36, he's a productive isolation scorer. Also, he knocked down 41.7 percent of the 4.5 catch-and-shoot 3s he launched last season, per NBA Stats. That combination captures how effective a kick-out option he can be, whether he has space to let it fly or has to put the ball on the deck.

The former Philadelphia 76er is also a turnover-suppressor. That aid in the possession battle becomes even more important in the final minutes when there are fewer of them.

At the other end of the floor, he's a four-time All-Defensive Team selection. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown experienced firsthand what he's still capable of as an on-ball defender when his legs are fresh enough.

George is plenty capable of being one of Boston's five-best options in crunch time; he just has to earn his spot.

What will the rest of the Celtics' closing lineup look like?

Jayson Tatum and Derrick White are locks to be out there late in a tightly contested tilt, provided they're available. Payton Pritchard should, and probably will be, too. With Pritchard likely poised to return to the first unit and considering how much he'll mean to their offense, it's hard to believe he wouldn't be on the floor for the final moments.

At center, the initial plan is for Neemias Queta to remain Boston's starting center. In choosing between him and Mitchell Robinson in late-game situations, it should mostly come down to the context of that contest.

Who's playing better? Who's in foul trouble? It's a situation that will largely sort itself out organically. Another factor is that Mazzulla may want to avoid teams sending Mitchell Robinson to the free-throw line in the final stages. It won't always lead him to go with Queta, but it's a point in the starter's favor.

That final spot, the one George must be vying for, should be based on merit. The Celtics were 16-17 in the clutch last season. That ranked 21st, tied with the Sacramento Kings. There are too many impactful options who can help propel them into the win column to not play the best option, whoever that may be on a given night.

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