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Jordan Walsh emerging as the ‘violent defender' Celtics were promised originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Our favorite play from the Boston Celtics’ gritty win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night?

Early in the fourth quarter, with Boston clinging to a four-point lead as Cleveland whittled away what had been a 21-point advantage, Anfernee Simons misfired from the wing and De’Andre Hunter appeared to secure the rebound from the mosh pit of bodies in front of the Boston basket.

A quick swipe from Payton Pritchard forced Hunter to fumble the ball, and Jordan Walsh pounced from the opposite side. Walsh’s goal, he later suggested, was to force a tie-up. Instead, he basically wrestled the ball away from Hunter and immediately got fouled trying to go up for a layup.

Coming off his first real dud since elevating to the starting lineup when he struggled to make a positive impact in Saturday’s loss in Minnesota, Walsh posted career highs on Sunday night while piling up 14 points and 11 rebounds.

But it’s Walsh’s defense that continues to distinguish him.

Before the Celtics selected Walsh with the 38th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Arkansas coach Eric Musselman routinely described his teenage forward as a “violent defender.”

Musselman later told NBC Sports Boston: “It’s about violently jumping in passing lanes, violently going after rebounds, and rebounding the ball outside of his area. He can crash into bodies, he’s not afraid of contact. And hence the phrase, ‘Violent defender.’”

With Walsh finally breaking down the door to consistent playing time this season, we’re starting to see the violence that was promised. Walsh has been an elite defender — we’re resisting the urge to start the All-Defense campaign that will eventually arrive if he maintains his on-ball impact — and he’s routinely embraced the challenges of defending the opposing team’s top offensive threat.

On Sunday, Walsh logged six minutes, 47 seconds of matchup time against Donovan Mitchell, defending the Cavs star for a game-high 43 total possessions. Mitchell scored four points on 2-of-8 shooting with two turnovers when Walsh was his primary defender, per NBA tracking data.

Walsh’s defensive metrics have been excellent, even as Joe Mazzulla dispatches him against some of the NBA’s elite. Among the 78 players 6-foot-7 and under who have defended at least nine shots per game with 10-plus games played, Walsh ranks second in the NBA while holding opponents to 7.2 percent below expected output.

Opponents are shooting just 40.2 percent against Walsh (47.4 percent expected). He sits one spot ahead of All-Defense stalwart Draymond Green (-7.1 percent), and only Derrick Jones Jr. (-10.8 percent) has a better mark from that group.

That 7.2 percent below expected field goal percentage number isn’t just good among high-volume players; it slots Walsh in the 96th percentile among all players. Yes, he needs to drive down his foul totals, but that might simply be a byproduct of his defensive tenacity.

Walsh is generating 3.8 Stocks (steals + blocks) per 100 possessions this season. Among all wings, he ranks in the 85th percentile in block percentage (1.2 percent) and 88th percentile for steals (2.4 percent), per Cleaning the Glass data.

Perhaps most importantly for a Celtics team thin on size, Walsh has been relentless chasing rebounds. He ranks in the 95th percentile while chasing down 15.3 percent of opponents’ misses when he’s on the floor, per Cleaning the Glass data.

On Sunday night, when the Celtics were playing without center Neemias Queta, Walsh was credited with a staggering 25 rebound chances (based on proximity to an available rebound). For context, Domantas Sabonis lead the NBA with 22.9 rebound chances per game, and Queta tops the Celtics at 16.7. Walsh is throwing himself into the fray at every chance lately.

Rebounding might have opened the door to Walsh gaining more playing time when he first came off the bench and got active on the glass against Washington in early November. Walsh shuffled up to the starting lineup a week later and has showed no signs of giving up that spot.

The Celtics are 6-2 in Walsh’s eight starts this season. Thin on size, the C’s have often utilized Walsh in small-ball lineups where either him or Josh Minott is basically the center on the floor.

Cleaning The Glass data suggest Walsh has logged 11 percent of his minutes at the power forward spot, and the Celtics have outscored opponents by a staggering 38.9 points per 100 possessions during that admittedly small sample. What’s more, opponents are shooting 13.9 percent below expected output at the rim when Walsh is the primary defender, which is a center-like number.

If developing younger talent and identifying players who can be key contributors long-term was a primary goal for the Celtics, then tapping into Walsh’s violent defensive tendencies this early was a huge win in the Jayson Tatum-less portion of the season.

Walsh needs to remain a willing shooter, especially when he gets open looks from the perimeter. He also needs to be more careful with the ball. He pickpocketed Mitchell at one point early in Sunday’s game but turned it right back over trying to push a pass ahead.

Walsh won’t turn 22 until March 3. The Celtics have him on the books for cheap money next season and can ponder a potential budget extension down the road.

Walsh’s energy and defensive grit has helped steady this team after a rocky start to the 2025-26 season. His ability to consistently impact the game like he did on Sunday might help the Celtics find even more consistency moving forward.

The Lakers cruised to their seventh consecutive win Sunday, taking down the overmatched New Orleans Pelicans 133-121 at Crypto.com Arena, but the play has not always been as impressive as the team's strong 15-4 record.

Against a team missing nearly all of its star players, including Zion Williamson, the Lakers let a 26-point second-quarter lead shrink to 11 by the third quarter. Instead of resting ahead of another game on Monday against the Phoenix Suns, Austin Reaves played 40 minutes, finishing with 33 points and eight assists. But with ice bags wrapped around both knees and both feet submerged in an ice bath, Reaves was still encouraged by the Lakers' rise to the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference.

“You're not always going to win in the prettiest way,” Reaves said. “Some games you're going to have to muck it up and win ugly games. And I feel like we've won in a variety of ways, which speaks to the character of everybody in this locker room and on the staff.”

Here are three takeaways from the win:

Lakers trying to become ‘process team’

JJ Redick had seen this story before. Riding high with a 7-2 record and playing against an undermanned and seemingly overwhelmed team, the Lakers got boat raced by Atlanta on Nov. 8.

With the Pelicans (3-18) missing nearly all their star players and the Lakers with seven wins in their previous nine games entering Sunday's matchup, Redick didn’t want to see another shocking upset.

So the coaching staff challenged the players before the game. Get off to a strong start, Redick implored. Players responded by piling on a season-high 46 points in the first quarter. Luka Doncic had 20 by himself.

But playing their seventh consecutive game against teams that are currently below .500, the Lakers let bad habits slip back in.

“I hate saying this, but teams can get a little bored,” Redick said of building such a commanding lead. “And that's what we're trying to get away from. [Our focus] is just continuing to be a process team and didn't think we were great with that tonight.”

The Pelicans shot 57.6% from the field in the final three quarters after the Lakers held them to eight of 25 shooting (32%) in the first quarter. Bryce McGowens led the Pelicans with 23 points while Saddiq Bey had 22 points and 11 rebounds.

Luka Doncic-Austin Reaves machine keeps churning 

Doncic is, by Redick’s estimation, “one of the greatest offensive engines to ever play basketball.” His running mate Reaves, in the midst of a career year, is “one of the greatest offensive engines in this year’s NBA.”

The Lakers’ star guards went into overdrive to power the Lakers without LeBron James on Sunday, combining for 67 points and 15 assists as James missed the game with a right foot injury.

Doncic entered the game as the NBA’s leading scorer, averaging 35.1 points per game, but was also ranked second in assists per game with 9.4 assists per game. He had his sixth consecutive 30-point game with 34 points Sunday, adding seven assists, 12 rebounds and just two turnovers despite being double-teamed nearly every time he had the ball. In fact, Doncic invited double teams, beckoning extra defenders toward him as he surveyed the court.

“The gravity that he has on the court, it's impossible to guard him any certain way because [of] his ability to pass the ball, his unselfishness and his shot-making ability,” Reaves said. “Then, once you blitz him, then you have advantage basketball and we like our chances.”

Doncic said after dishing 11 assists with 35 points against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday that if he gets blitzed by extra defenders, it’s a sign he did his job. Playing four-on-three is “the easiest basketball you can play,” he said proudly.

Doncic and Reaves are the fourth pair of teammates in 50 years to each record 30 or more points in three consecutive games, according to the NBA. Powered by the sudden return of his three-pointer, Reaves scored 31 points against the Clippers last Tuesday and 38 against the Mavericks on Friday. He has made 12 of 19 three-point attempts (63.1%) in the last three games after getting off to a 31.1% mark from beyond the arc this season.

Deandre Ayton roars to double-double

Deandre Ayton warmed up for Sunday’s game wearing a black T-shirt with a photo of half of his face printed next to half of a lion’s. Before games, the 7-foot center drinks a specially mixed energy drink that has the message “unleash the beast” written on the bottle in black ink.

On Sunday, the Lakers’ lion roared to 22 points and 12 rebounds with a season-high four blocks. He continued his efficient shooting by making seven for nine shots from the field and going eight for eight from the free throw line.

Ayton, averaging 16 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, is shooting a career-best 71% from the field. Unlike the team’s leader in field-goal percentage Jaxson Hayes (75%), Ayton is not doing the majority of his scoring on sure-fire dunks. He is shooting 61% on shots between five and 14 feet from the rim, tied with Nikola Jokic for best among centers who have taken 20 or more such shots.

“I'm really impressed just with his touch,” Redick said. “When he gets the ball in that pocket, or he collects a loose ball or rebound, or he gets a post up in that sort of, like, nine- to 12-foot area, just got a great touch. And it's another weapon we have, him scoring the basketball at a high efficiency in that area.”

Ayton left the game with 7:25 remaining after tweaking his right knee while contesting a shot from Pelicans rookie Derik Queen. He immediately signaled toward the bench for a sub and walked gingerly back to the sideline while grabbing toward his right knee. Ayton missed one game because of a right knee contusion suffered in the first half against Utah on Nov. 23, but said it felt fine after cooling down.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Sharks star Macklin Celebrini responds to ‘great' Steph Curry's heartfelt advice originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Up-and-coming Sharks superstar Macklin Celebrini is grateful for the advice he received from Warriors legend Steph Curry about being patient while maintaining joy.

San Jose’s prized 19-year-old responded to Curry’s heartfelt intel in a sit-down with NBC Sports California’s Alan Hoshida.

“Something to take to heart for sure,” Celebrini said. “Something to listen to. I mean, he’s one of the all-time greats.”

Curry extended a long message to Celebrini, the son of Golden State’s beloved director of sports medicine and performance, about the trials and tribulations of being an up-and-coming, local icon with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole and Bonta Hill on the latest edition of “Dubs Talk.”

“Patience is the hard thing for a young guy coming into a tough situation, where your team hasn’t won in a long time, [and it’s] trying to figure out the right identity, the right combination of guys that could get to that next level, become a playoff team and take the necessary steps,” Curry said.

“But don’t lose your joy though it all, because it’s tough in the beginning when all you want to do is win,” Curry added. “It’s kind of out of your control, but if you can keep getting better through it.”

Celebrini, whom the Sharks selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, is the key piece in San Jose’s rebuilding phase. And while the Sharks definitely are one of the NHL’s more fun teams, the franchise still has a way to go before it can bring home the coveted Stanley Cup.

The second-year NHL star explained why Curry’s advice means so much to him.

“I think it’s the way he is as a person,” Celebrini said. “You ask anyone how well he treats people. For him being who he is and accomplishing all that he’s done and just being a great person through it all, I think that’s the most important thing.

“And as an athlete, just his work ethic and his drive, even now, when he’s done all you can do in the game of basketball and he wants to just keep winning and keep driving the team.”

When Curry speaks, Celebrini listens, as the NBA sharpshooter knows what it takes to be part of both a rebuilding team and a dynasty. 

Curry’s emphasis on maintaining a love for playing also stuck with Celebrini.

“Like anyone, you get frustrated,” Celebrini said. “The game’s not perfect, and you go through hard times and there’s ups and downs. But whenever I’m having fun and enjoying myself, that’s usually when I’m playing my best.”

The Sharks, led by Celebrini, are on a promising trajectory. And Curry, earlier in his 17-year NBA career, was in a similar position, which is why the pair of Bay Area stars greatly respect and admire each other.

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Steph Curry reveals heartfelt advice for young Sharks star Macklin Celebrini originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Superstar NHL center Macklin Celebrini is looking like the next big thing in Bay Area sports for the up-and-coming Sharks.

So, it’s only right that Warriors legend Steph Curry — one of the region’s greatest faces in sports history — passes down some nuggets about embracing local greatness to San Jose’s cornerstone.

Curry shared his advice for Celebrini in an exclusive interview with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole and Bonta Hill for the latest edition of “Dubs Talk.”

“Patience is the hard thing for a young guy coming into a tough situation, where your team hasn’t won in a long time, [and it’s] trying to figure out the right identity, the right combination of guys that could get to that next level, become a playoff team and take the necessary steps,” Curry told Poole and Hill. 

“It’s really hard in the moment, when he works as hard as he does and you approach the game like he does.”

Curry believes the 19-year-old needs to have a big-picture vision, as the Sharks, despite their fun start to the 2025-26 NHL season, still have a way to go before they reach their peak of the Celebrini Era.

The sharpshooter would know. 

Curry has won four NBA Finals throughout his 17-year career in the Bay. But at the start, the Warriors weren’t contenders, as it took three seasons for Curry to reach the playoffs for the first time and three more campaigns before Golden State hoisted the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.

Fortunately for Curry, he has had the chance to talk to Macklin, in addition to routinely speaking with his father, Rick, who is the Warriors’ director of sports medicine and performance.

“I got to talk to [Macklin] a couple times,” Curry said. “I talk to Rick every day; when I’m on the table, I’m like, ‘How’s Mack doing?’ So, I’m getting all that intel. But it’s just hard to keep that tunnel vision on, continue to get better, continue to keep your joy for the game through all the ups and downs of a tough team situation early in your career. 

“That’s one thing we both have in common, in the sense of what my first three years looked like with the Warriors. Good comes with good, and if he stays the course … hopefully he’s a lifer in San Jose, and they’re able to figure out the right roster that he can help elevate and get to that next level, and continue to adapt from there.”

It appears that Celebrini and the Sharks will be running the NHL sooner rather than later.

But before then, Curry hopes Celebrini understands that consistent winning will come with time — even if that’s a hard pill to swallow.

“But don’t lose your joy though it all, because it’s tough in the beginning when all you want to do is win,” Curry said. “It’s kind of out of your control, but if you can keep getting better through it …”

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