Maybe the Boston Celtics don’t need to add any wing depth after all. Maybe they just need more Oshae Brissett.
Two days after Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens stated to the media that he’s interested in adding wing depth to the rotation, either by acquisition or from within, Brissett returned to his old stomping grounds in Indiana and played a critical role in Boston’s 118-101 victory.
Brissett came off the bench to grab a season-high eight rebounds to go along with eight points and a blocked shot, most of which was tallied as the Celtics were severely shorthanded during the second half.
Boston was forced to play through Jayson Tatum and Derrick White being saddled with four fouls during the third quarter, and through Kristaps Porzingis missing the entire second half after he took a shot to the right eye during the first quarter. As a result, Joe Mazzulla dug deeper into his bench than normal and called on Brissett for 20 minutes of action. The 6-foot-7 wing answered the bell with his customary energy that was supplemented by statistical productivity.
Surprisingly, it was at the offensive end of the floor where Brissett provided the C’s with a boost. He entered the contest averaging less than three points per game, yet on this night, he contributed all eight of his points during the second half. He did so while converting both on a conventional three-point play on a driving layup, and on a shot from long distance.
His presence at the offensive end didn’t stop there, as Brissett also hauled in a game-high five offensive rebounds that pumped life into Boston’s offense throughout the game.
Now, it should be no surprise that Brissett will not earn the majority of attention after this win. Instead, that will fall to the likes of Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Al Horford, and rightfully so. Tatum recorded a monster double-double of 38 points and 13 rebounds. Brown poured in 31 points on 13-for-20 shooting. Horford came off the bench to stuff the stat sheet with 10 points, game highs of eight assists and three blocks, and seven boards. However, their efforts may not have mattered in the end had Brissett not delivered an exceptional performance within his role.
And that, right there, is what’s catching Mazzulla’s attention.
“I love the mindset that he brings,” the coach said after Saturday night’s win. “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.”
This is becoming a trend, too, as Brissett has been slotted into an expanded role over the past nine days. He has now logged at least 15 minutes during four of Boston’s last five games. Previously, he had only reached that mark three times all season.
Boston won all four of those recent games during which he logged at least 15 minutes, and the C’s outscored their opponent while he was on the floor during each of those contests. That included a four-point advantage over the Pacers on Saturday night. To bolster that stat even further, Brissett is now riding a streak of eight consecutive games during which the Celtics have outscored their opponent while he was on the floor.
That’s a pretty convincing trend.
Maybe this is exactly why Stevens, who always chooses his words carefully, made sure to state Thursday that his targeted wing depth could certainly come “from within.” Brissett might provide just what Stevens has been seeking.