Oshae Brissett Making Strong Case to Fill Celtics' Search for Big Wing
On Thursday, Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens shared the franchise would like to find another big wing to help their championship chase while conveying, "I think that could be from within."
A prime internal candidate to solve that search is Oshae Brissett. The six-foot-seven forward is getting and capitalizing on recent opportunities to prove he's worthy of the role.
The 25-year-old, the first player Boston signed in free agency over the summer, has logged at least 15 minutes in four of the Celtics' last five contests, all wins. They have outscored their opponent in eight straight games while he was on the floor.
That includes registering eight points, eight rebounds, extending five possessions, and a block in 20 minutes of Saturday's 118-101 victory vs. the Indiana Pacers.
Brissett played 9:30 of the final frame, burying a corner three, attacking off the catch and finishing through contact en route to an old-school three-point play, and coming from behind to block a Buddy Hield shot from above the break, providing hustle plays and an infusion of energy as he helped the visitors outscore the hosts 34-20 in a fourth quarter they entered with just a three-point lead.
It was one of the former Syracuse Orange star's best performances this season, up there with when he shined in Boston's 119-111 win over the Miami Heat in its home opener, showcasing the impact he can make as a cutter and crashing the glass.
After providing the jolt that sparked the C's after they were flat to start that Eastern Conference Finals rematch, Jayson Tatum voiced that Brissett was "the sole reason that we got back into the game, and I told him that."
Following Saturday's win over the Pacers, his head coach, Joe Mazzulla, expressed, "I love the mindset that he brings," citing "The multiple efforts. The winning plays. The toughness. The physicality. Every time he's in the game, you feel his presence, and he's been playing great for us."
Further Reading
Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Stellar Final Frame Snaps Pacers' Win Streak
Celtics Maximization Fueled by Their Maturation: 'Not Taking Days for Granted'
Brad Stevens Shares What Celtics Are Looking to Add and How He Hopes to Do So
Brad Stevens Says Celtics Have 'Green Light' to Add to Payroll, But Boston Still Restricted
Celtics' Maturation, Sacrifice Fueling Their Success
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'