Inside The Celtics

JD Davison Shares Message to Jordan Walsh Before Rookie's NBA Debut

While his time on the floor was brief, Celtics rookie Jordan Walsh made a favorable impression in his first taste of NBA action.

Bobby Krivitsky

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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Wednesday night's 117-98 steamrolling of rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs provided an opportunity for another member of the 2023 Draft class to make his NBA debut.

Jordan Walsh entered the game to a standing ovation with 3:03 left. Standing alongside him at the scorer's table was JD Davison, who's on a two-way contract and spending much of this season teaming with the former Arkansas Razorback on the Maine Celtics.

After Boston's G League affiliate bested the Sioux Falls Skyforce 131-125 on Sunday afternoon, Davison, who registered 36 points, seven rebounds, and ten assists, notching his 15th double-double and third 30-point outing of the 2023-24 campaign, shared with Maine Celtics' play-by-play broadcaster Brendan Glasheen what his message to Walsh was before the rookie checked into an NBA game for the first time.

"I'm looking for you," conveyed the second-year guard. "Get your first bucket, man, it's gonna be unbelievable.'"

And while the 19-year-old's lone field goal attempt, a clean look from beyond the arc, didn't go down, much to the dismay of his teammates and the TD Garden faithful, he left a positive impression, grabbing four rebounds in his brief stint on the parquet.

"It was an amazing moment," expressed a jubilant Walsh post-game. "There's so much history in this building, so much history with this organization, and the fact that I was able to put on that jersey, it's amazing. It's definitely an accomplishment that I'm going to have for the rest of my life."

Jaylen Brown, who stuffed the stat sheet with 21 points, seven rebounds, five assists, a steal, and a block, said after the win, "The rook has been working, man. He's getting better (and continues) developing. Obviously he's been in Maine, but I've been hearing good things. So, to see him get out there and, right away, show some signs of improvement – get out there and grab four rebounds – you see he's got some talent, and he's just working."

A testament to the 38th pick in the 2023 draft's maturity is that despite playing in the G League on an NBA contract, not a two-way deal, Walsh isn't wasting his time in Maine trying to play a more glorified role than the one he'll have when he's ready to join Boston's rotation.

He'll sprint to the corner, mostly plays off the ball, is a Swiss army knife that applies airtight on-ball pressure at the other end, and he brings the same infusion of energy that helped him get drafted just outside of the first round.

"It's all about becoming that role player that Boston wants," the rookie forward stated. "Obviously, whatever it takes to come up here and compete and help us win a championship. That's the main goal. So whatever I can do to get that, that's what I'm focused on."

As for his first taste of NBA action?

"It was amazing, for sure," he voiced. "I'm never going to forget that."

Walsh's next chance to suit up for the parent club might not be far behind his NBA debut. The Celtics have called him up for their three-game road trip that starts Sunday night against the Houston Rockets, a contest two members of their top six, Jrue Holiday and Al Horford, are inactive for.

Further Reading

Here's What Stood Out as the Nuggets Handed the Celtics Their First Home Loss this Season

Celtics Finding Joy in Basketball and Each Other's Company: 'We've Been Blessed'

Fixated on Winning, Jayson Tatum Again Proves He's Not 'Bored Making the Right Play Over and Over'

Ime Udoka Assesses Tatum and Brown's Growth Since Coaching Them: 'A Lot of Potential That I Haven't Tapped Into'

Jrue Holiday Responds to Celtics Saying He's Sacrificing Most: 'Not Mad at My Situation'

Brad Stevens Shares What Celtics Are Looking to Add and How He Hopes to Do So

Derrick White Opens Up About Journey from Uncertainty He Belonged in the NBA to an All-Star Caliber Guard

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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