Now entering his third season with the Boston Celtics, Jordan Walsh finds himself at a critical juncture in his young NBA career. The 6-foot-7 forward, once seen as a raw but high-upside prospect out of Arkansas, has steadily carved out a reputation as a fierce competitor with defensive grit and unshakable confidence. But in 2025, with Jayson Tatum expected to be sidelined for an extended period due to a lingering knee issue, the Celtics aren’t just hoping for development from Walsh—they need it. The opportunity for increased minutes, impact, and visibility has never been greater, and perhaps fittingly, Walsh wasted no time in making headlines this Summer League. In just one game, the new version of Jordan Walsh—a tougher, more aggressive, and more mentally locked-in player—announced his presence with authority, even if it came through an unconventional exit: a fiery ejection against the Miami Heat.
For the Celtics, the future without Tatum, even temporarily, presents both a challenge and an opportunity. While no one on the current roster is expected to replicate the MVP-level production that Tatum brings nightly, it opens a door for Boston’s younger core to step up and prove they can shoulder greater responsibility. That includes guys like Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Neemias Queta, but especially Jordan Walsh. As someone whose defensive upside and physical tools were praised from the moment he entered the league, Walsh now has a chance to show that his offensive game and mental maturity have caught up. The 2025 NBA Summer League isn’t just a proving ground for rookies—it’s a launchpad for players like Walsh who are transitioning from project to professional, from backup to meaningful contributor.
The transformation in Walsh’s game and demeanor became apparent almost immediately. In Boston’s Summer League opener against the Heat, he played with an edge that felt noticeably different from his previous stints in green. There was a confidence in his footwork, decisiveness in his shot selection, and an aggressive physicality on defense that felt like it was channeled from years of learning behind stars like Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart before his trade. And then, in a moment that some might view as a negative but many inside the Celtics’ organization interpreted as passion bubbling over, Walsh was ejected after a scuffle with Miami’s rookie forward. The incident stemmed from a hard foul and ensuing words exchanged near midcourt, escalating into brief contact that earned him a flagrant two and a one-way trip to the locker room.
Yet the ejection wasn’t interpreted as a setback by the Celtics brass—it was, in many ways, a turning point. Walsh showed a pulse. He showed fire. He showed that he isn’t just trying to fit in anymore—he’s trying to lead, to set a tone, to be felt. Boston assistant coach Tony Dobbins, who is coaching the Summer League squad, told reporters afterward that while they never condone ejections or unnecessary aggression, Walsh’s mindset was “in the right place.” According to Dobbins, “We’d rather have to pull a guy back than push him forward. Jordan came in with a chip on his shoulder, and that’s exactly the mentality we want to see. He’s fighting for something bigger this year.”
It’s not difficult to see what’s fueling Walsh’s renewed intensity. For two seasons, he has lingered on the outskirts of the Celtics’ rotation, showing flashes but never quite locking down a consistent role. Much of that was due to a crowded depth chart and Boston’s championship aspirations, which limited experimentation and forced head coach Joe Mazzulla to lean heavily on veteran reliability. But this offseason, with roster changes and injuries reshaping the team’s hierarchy, the equation has changed. The Celtics now need players who can step up and fill the production void left not just by Tatum’s injury, but also by the possible minutes vacuum from trades and free agency. And Walsh, still only 21 years old, has put in the work to be ready for that challenge.
Reports from Celtics practices and offseason workouts suggest that Walsh has been laser-focused on improving his offensive toolkit. Last season, one of the biggest knocks on his game was his streaky shooting and hesitancy to create off the dribble. But according to player development staff, Walsh has made major strides in both areas. His jump shot, once a question mark, now boasts smoother mechanics and improved consistency. And he’s shown far more confidence attacking the rim, using his long strides and wiry strength to finish through contact. These developments haven’t gone unnoticed by his teammates either. Jaylen Brown, in a recent interview, singled out Walsh as someone who’s “been in the lab all summer” and called him a “potential x-factor” heading into the season.
What separates this new version of Jordan Walsh isn’t just his offensive improvement or even his physical conditioning—it’s his mental maturity. The fire that led to his Summer League ejection was controlled chaos, a symbol of how much the game means to him. Walsh has acknowledged in past interviews that he used to be too deferential, especially in a locker room filled with All-Stars. But entering year three, he says he’s done asking for permission to be great. “I’m not a rookie anymore,” he told reporters during a post-practice media session. “I’m coming in like I belong. I know what I bring to the table.”
And what he brings is something Boston has long valued: defensive versatility. Even as a raw prospect, Walsh’s defensive instincts stood out. He can guard multiple positions, switch on the perimeter, and make help-side rotations with the awareness of a much older player. With Tatum out, the Celtics are likely to lean heavily on defensive identity, and Walsh could play a crucial role in making sure that identity doesn’t slip. He’s big enough to handle bigger wings, quick enough to stay with guards, and he’s learned to minimize the unnecessary fouls that plagued his rookie season.
While Summer League stats only tell part of the story, Walsh’s performance in limited minutes against Miami was telling. Before his ejection, he registered two steals, contested multiple shots at the rim, and drilled a confident corner three off a quick ball reversal. But more than the box score, it was his presence on the court that stood out. He barked out defensive coverages. He directed teammates. He clapped loudly after good defensive possessions. He looked, in a word, like a leader.
It’s easy to forget how young Walsh still is. Drafted late in the second round, he entered the league with modest expectations. But the Celtics have always viewed him as a developmental piece with starter-level upside. And now, with circumstances aligning—Tatum’s injury, an evolving roster, and a wide-open rotation—there’s a real path for Walsh to seize a major role. If his Summer League debut is any indication, he’s not planning to tiptoe into that role; he’s going to storm through the door.
Of course, Summer League is just the beginning. The real test will come in training camp and preseason, where Walsh will need to translate his fire into consistency. Can he stay composed during physical games? Can he hit open shots under pressure? Can he be relied upon in crunch time situations? These are the questions that will determine how large his role becomes in 2025-26. But for now, the signs are encouraging. He’s acting like a player who understands the stakes, who knows that the window for opportunity in the NBA can be short, and who’s determined not to let it pass him by.
The Celtics, meanwhile, will be watching closely. With Tatum out, they know they’ll need contributions from unexpected places. And in Walsh, they may have found the perfect candidate: a player who blends the hunger of a young journeyman with the fire of a seasoned competitor. The Summer League may be just a stage for some, but for Jordan Walsh, it’s the launchpad for a new chapter—one where he’s not just part of the team, but part of the plan.
As he left the floor following his ejection against Miami, Walsh didn’t hang his head. He walked with defiance, chest out, eyes forward. It wasn’t the ending he wanted for his first Summer League game—but in a strange way, it was exactly the moment he needed. Because in that instant, Jordan Walsh sent a message—not just to his opponents, but to the Celtics, the fans, and himself. He’s not here to blend in anymore. He’s here to break out.
