Why Celtics Are Starting Jordan Walsh Over Payton Pritchard vs. Pistons
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Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla decided not to switch things up for Opening Day.
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After starting Jordan Walsh in two straight preseason games, Mazzulla kept the 22-year-old in the starting lineup against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.
Walsh will open the game alongside Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Paul George and Mitchell Robinson.
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Why Jordan Walsh is Starting for Celtics
Walsh appeared in all four of Boston's preseason games. In 18.0 minutes per game, he averaged 8.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 0.8 steals while shooting 41.4 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from 3-point range.
When Mazzulla was asked why he started Walsh in two of those four games, he pointed to his defense.
"Jordan continues to be really good at the start of games. Guarding the team's best player, getting off to a good start defensively," Mazzulla said. "Something he's done well for us those last couple of games. It's a huge role for him that we're going to need from him."
Walsh is recognized as one of the NBA's better perimeter defenders. The Sporting News' Steph Noh now has him ranked as the fifth-best defender on the Celtics and the 63rd-best defender in the league. His activity on that end of the court helped him start 25 of 68 games last season.
Earning the start against the Pistons means two-time All-Star Cade Cunningham could be Walsh's assignment.
Walsh isn't the scorer Payton Pritchard is, but his ability to guard the opposing team's best perimeter player takes some of the defensive pressure off of Derrick White, Jayson Tatum and Paul George.
Pritchard has also proven himself to be an elite weapon off the bench, winning Sixth Man of the Year in 2024-25. Keeping him with the second unit gives him more opportunities to create as Boston's lead ball handler off the bench.
Whether Walsh can turn this opportunity into a permanent starting role could depend on how much he can contribute offensively while maintaining his defensive impact.