On Wednesday night, the Boston Celtics, who have dealt with their fair share of injury issues this season, played their most short-handed game of the season. Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford were all ruled out hours before tip-off. Then, after initially being listed as questionable, Jaylen Brown was downgraded to out. That left room for Baylor Scheierman to make his first career start.
The Magic, equipped with seeding-based motivation, stormed ahead to a victory and clinched the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. Scheierman started, and while he didn’t churn out the most efficient performance, he still showed off some solid progression. “He was good,” Joe Mazzulla said post-game. “Gave us a shot. Played well.
Scheierman finished the night with 15 points, five rebounds, and three steals while shooting 6-of-14 from the field and 1-of-7 from beyond the three-point line.
Baylor Scheierman's development could help Celtics' tax-induced trade decisions
Though the threes weren’t falling, and he committed a few unsightly turnovers, Scheierman’s instincts and interior finishing were on full display. The rookie showed off some impressive handiwork around the rim, highlighted by a scoop shot he’s apparently added to his arsenal.
Obviously, Scheierman still has a lot of room to grow, but based on the progress he’s made in such a short time this season, the Celtics should feel good about his potential standing in Mazzulla’s rotation moving forward.
In fact, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, Scheierman’s improvements this season have helped ease the Celtics’ worries about potentially having to trade Jrue Holiday.
“There's been tangible optimism emanating from the Celtics regarding first-round pick Baylor Scheierman’s development with G League Maine this season to assist with softening any post-Holiday blow,” Fischer wrote.
Boston has been a second-apron team for the past two years, and it seems highly likely that they will look to duck that mark next season. That means they will have to make a trade this summer, and Fischer listed Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis as the most probable candidates.
Wednesday night against the Magic wasn’t Scheierman’s best game of the season, but it was the latest example of his continued improvements this year, aided by the guidance of assistant coach Craig Lushcenat.
His progression as a player could play a part in the trade decisions the Celtics make this summer. Scheierman would not be able to replace Holiday, nor anyone else Boston may trade, but having someone Mazzulla trusts ready to step into the rotation would be ideal. And it looks like Scheierman is encroaching upon that territory (or will be next season).
