In the Boston Celtics’ 112-96 win over the Toronto Raptors, a notable detail was third-year forward Jordan Walsh not playing a single second in the second half. However, head coach Joe Mazzulla quickly clarified: this decision was not related to performance or discipline, but entirely due to the player’s health.
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The Real Reason: Walsh Played While Ill
Mazzulla revealed to reporters that Walsh was unwell before the game: “Jordan was sick today. He wasn’t supposed to play but we pushed him to and wanted to see what he could give us. He gave us what he could… He obviously wasn’t at his best so we just kind of went there in the second half. That’s why he didn’t play.”
In his 13 first-half minutes, Walsh posted zero points, three rebounds, and was a -13, reflecting the struggles of much of the starting unit in the first half.
Effective Replacements from the Bench
Walsh’s rest opened the door for other young talents, and they seized the opportunity brilliantly:
Josh Minott started the second half in his place.
Rookie Hugo Gonzalez had a memorable night with his first career double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds).
Baylor Scheierman also contributed positively with two steals in nine minutes.
The switch paid dividends as the Celtics outscored the Raptors 63-45 in the second half en route to the victory.
The Bigger Picture and What’s Next
Notably, Walsh wasn’t the only one affected by illness; Jaylen Brown also missed the entire game for the same reason. Both will get a day to recover before the Celtics return to TD Garden to host the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.
This update highlights a humane and tactical decision from the Celtics’ coaching staff, prioritizing player health and allowing ready young talent to step up and shine.