The Boston Celtics played with the man against the Miami Heat in the 2025 NBA Summer League.
Whether it’s an NBA playoff game or a preseason game, being kicked out and lost a conflict must be one of the hardest things for players to deal with.
Well, Boston Celtics’ 21-year-old forward Jordan Walsh experienced it when he was sent over the Miami Heat during a 2025 NBA Summer League game.
The Celtics ultimately suffered a four-point loss, and Walsh may have helped the team avoid that outcome.
Walsh only played 10 minutes before the Celtics were sent out, but he got off to an impressive start to the game.
After all, in a limited few minutes, Walsh has already stolen 13 points, three rebounds and one. Shortly after the ejection, Walsh revealed that Celtics head coach Joe Matzla had to say about the incident.
“As soon as I got kicked out and arrived in the locker room, I checked my phone and he was texting me. He said, ‘I love this from you.’
Often, coaches are critical of players who are kicked out for stupid mistakes in hardwoods. But Mazzulla is not your average coach.
Instead of being mad at the 21-year-old, he sponsored him and increased his confidence in his future games in the summer league.
The 2025-26 NBA season will mark Walsh’s third year in the league. He was his second pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, but Walsh has already won the trust of his head coach.
Walsh returned to the two possessions that led to his exit from the game and gave an honest answer behind his intentions for those plays.
“I’m trying to get under people’s skin. I’m trying to throw them out of their rhythm, like I’m trying to confuse them. I want to confuse them all,” Walsh admitted.
It is clear that Walsh’s intention is to ensure that the opposing team is away from the game. It’s no surprise that Mazzulla supports the 6’7” forward.