Through the first two-thirds of the season, the Boston Celtics have exceeded everyone’s expectations, sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference standings with a 36-19 record.
With the All-Star break behind them, the Celtics are now entering the most critical stretch of the season, with the playoffs less than two months away and every game being more important than the last.
While the Celtics will continue to rely on stars Jaylen Brown and Derrick White to carry them to the playoffs, they’ll also need impactful contributions from their role players to solidify their playoff positioning. This playoff push won’t just determine seeding; it’ll also establish which players will be in Boston’s plans for next season.
For these three players, the next few weeks are an audition. Their play during this stretch will determine if they’re part of the team’s long-term vision or find themselves elsewhere when the offseason rolls around.
1. Nikola Vucevic, C
Of these three, Nikola Vucevic has the most to prove. With his new team, Vucevic must make a big sacrifice. Throughout his career, he’s been one of his team's premier players and has served as a go-to option
Now, he must transition to a complementary piece to a championship-caliber roster. Head coach Joe Mazzulla has tasked him with coming off the bench, something he hasn’t done since his rookie season. So far, he’s done a solid job, averaging 12.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, shooting 42.9 percent from 3-point land on 3.5 attempts.
The Celtics traded for him with the expectation that he could help fill the void left by Kristaps Porzingis, relying on his floor-spacing and scoring to aid their playoff push. While his role has changed, the expectations remain high.
With Vucevic set to hit free agency and the Celtics having some financial flexibility, his performance over the next few weeks will be decisive. The Celtics will look to continue to surround Jayson Tatum and Brown with impactful contributors moving forward. If Vucevic has some strong performances on the offensive end, it will only help his chances of the front office prioritizing re-signing him.
2. Jordan Walsh, G/F
Even though Jordan Walsh has seen the most playing time in his three-year career and has had some quality games, inconsistency has defined his season. Some of that inconsistency can be attributed to inexperience, while some of it is due to a crowded wing room.
Regardless, Walsh hasn’t been able to establish a clear, consistent role with this team, and time is running out to do so. Wing Baylor Scheierman has shone since being inserted into the starting lineup, and Tatum’s potential return only adds more competition for more minutes.
While Walsh has been one of the team’s best perimeter defenders and is an active player on the glass, he must become a factor on offense in the ensuing weeks. Too many times has Walsh been non-existent on the offensive end, and it hasn’t done the Celtics any favors.
With the Celtics’ offense emphasizing three-pointers and spacing, Walsh hasn’t proven to be a dependable shooter. Despite shooting 37.9 percent from long distance on 1.8 attempts, Walsh hasn’t consistently shown he's a threat from beyond the arc, as he’s been a streaky shooter.
Besides shooting, he hasn’t proven that he can consistently score anywhere else. During this stretch, Walsh must become an aggressive scorer or else he’ll be on the outside looking in when the offseason begins.
3. Ron Harper Jr., G
Ron Harper Jr. isn’t going to see playoff minutes for the Celtics unless the team sustains significant injuries or he emerges as a significant contributor. However, in the next few weeks, he can showcase whether he can be a future contributor off the bench.
In his last four games, Harper has displayed some promise on both ends, averaging 5.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. He had an outstanding game against the Houston Rockets when the Celtics were short-handed, posting 11 points and nine rebounds while also playing tremendous defense.
This game sparked his usage as of late, as he’s provided the team with some inspiring contributions off the bench. Still, Harper has a long way to go before he can establish himself in a consistent role with the Celtics, but he’s flashed some potential.
During this stretch, it’s likely the Celtics will sit some of their star players to give them rest before the playoffs. Harper and the other depth players will have an opportunity to make a case to earn a role with the team.
If Harper can show some strides in his development before the start of the playoffs, the Celtics would be inclined to bring him back on a cheap deal.