Celtics Newcomer Seizes Opportunity In First Career NBA Start
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has been tinkering with his lineups early in the season as he looks to find the right matchups and player combinations for his new-look roster, especially in the frontcourt.
On Sunday, Mazzulla gave rookie Hugo Gonzalez his first NBA start. On Monday, Josh Minott got his first career start.
Gonzalez struggled offensively, failing to score in 18 minutes on Sunday and not playing on Monday. Minott didn’t have that problem, however, scoring 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting and racking up nine rebounds in 28 minutes.
Minott made the most of his opportunity, helping the Celtics to their first win of the season over the New Orleans Pelicans and providing the impact Mazzulla was looking for. He was still riding high from the experience and his strong performance after the game.
“It’s just been exciting, like I don’t even know how to really put it into words,” Minott told reporters. “Still kinda like high on life from the game right now.”
The 22-year-old is in his fourth NBA season and first with Boston after spending three years with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He’d played 95 NBA games before starting one, so he knows how rare and precious those opportunities are.
“I can’t take that for granted. Joe’s giving me that opportunity, and I just don’t wanna allow that to go in vain,” Minott added.
Minott likely earned himself another start with his impressive showing. The Celtics will need a similar effort from him if they want to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in their next game on Wednesday.