The dynamic of a shorthanded NBA team is always fascinating. When role players get the chance to prove they belong and showcase the hard work they’ve put in, it often leads to surprising results. In these moments, there’s a sense of freedom and confidence that lets players rise to the occasion and perform. The Celtics experienced that reality on Wednesday night.
The Clippers, who are in the midst of a stretch of four games in five nights, were without Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Norman Powell, Ivica Zubac, Kris Dunn, Nicolas Batum, and PJ. Tucker. That’s five of their top-seven minute-getters and each of their top-four scorers, leaving 160.5 minutes and 82.8 points per game on the bench in street clothes.
As expected, Los Angeles’ reserves answered the call. Led by Kevin Porter Jr., Derrick Jones Jr., and Amir Coffey, the Clippers totaled 78 points on 33-of-55 (60%) shooting from the field and 7-of-17 (41.2%) from three three-quarters of the way through the third quarter before Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics turned to one of their role players who had been waiting for an opportunity: Jaden Springer.
With Boston struggling to contain Porter Jr., who had been scoring at will, Joe Mazzulla turned to Springer, who had logged double-digit minutes just once this season. Springer, known for his defensive prowess, made an immediate impact. His physical defense, both on and off the ball, combined with his ball pressure, disrupted Porter’s rhythm and forced him out of his comfort zone. In the final 4:18 of the third quarter, Porter went scoreless and didn’t even get a shot off, prompting Mazzulla to stick with Springer into the fourth.
“He’s just got an innate skill to impact the game with his physicality and his defense,” Mazzulla told reporters postgame. “I thought it’s what the game needed at the time. I thought their guards were a little too comfortable, and he has an ability to really change the game in that way. Hats off to him. I think one of the best things you can do in this league is to just deliver when your name is called, regardless of when it is, so it’s a credit to him.”
Springer’s defensive intensity remained high in the fourth quarter, where he played all but 31 seconds, holding Porter scoreless in 8:40 on 0-of-3 shooting with a turnover. The 22-year-old finished with a season-high 20 minutes, racking up four steals to tie a career-high.
Porter, who had scored 24 points on 11-of-16 (68.8%) shooting before Springer checked in, finished the game with just two points on 1-of-5 (20%) shooting and two turnovers. The Clippers’ overall shooting dropped from 60% from the field and 41.2% from deep to 40% and 18.2%, respectively.
“That was tough. As the season goes on, you need every guy,” Jaylen Brown said on Springer’s impact. “It’s just a testament to him and his work ethic. He got his name called. Defensively, we weren’t at our best. Kevin Porter was getting the best of us. I rolled my ankle in the second quarter, so that kind of slowed me down. Jaden just came in, hawked the ball, gave us some energy on defense, and helped us get a win. You’ve got to commend that. That’s huge, and he hit big shots on the other end. It definitely was a great Jaden Springer.”
Springer’s game-changing defense wasn’t his only contribution. He also came through on offense with two clutch three-pointers. The first came late in regulation, just before the Celtics blew a four-point lead with 19 seconds left. The second came with 34 seconds remaining in overtime, sealing the win and ensuring his career night ended on a high note. That final triple also matched his career high for three-point makes (2).
“He stepped up big time tonight,” Jayson Tatum said. “Knocked down some big shots. Got some stops. Spring was unbelievable tonight.”
The Celtics wouldn’t have won without Springer’s contributions, and judging by his teammates’ reactions during and after the game, they knew it, too.
Perhaps Wednesday night will go down as “The Jaden Springer Game”—his most impactful performance as a Celtic and one that could shape his future in Boston, especially with the NBA trade deadline just two weeks away.
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