With Celtics teammates on the sidelines, Jaden Springer, Jordan Walsh, Neemias Queta show out for Maine Celtics

COLLEGE PARK, GEORGIA — Brad Stevens was locked in. Seated within the bleachers of Gateway Middle Enviornment in Faculty Park, Georgia, he watched Celtics gamers Jaden Springer, Jordan Walsh, and others tackle Atlanta’s G-League affiliate.

Sitting with Stevens was a big contingency of the Celtics group – together with Derrick White, Jrue Vacation, Sam Hauser, Xavier Tillman, Oshae Brissett, and Svi Mykhailiuk.

It was lower than 24 hours after a letdown Celtics loss that came about half-hour north of Faculty Park, and a big group of Celtics gamers and coaches spent their night time off supporting their Maine brethren in a G-League showdown with the Faculty Park Skyhawks. In spite of everything, the group is in Atlanta all week, set to face the Hawks once more on Thursday in a rematch after Monday night time’s 120-118 loss.

There was quite a bit to tune in for at Gateway Middle Enviornment, beginning with Jaden Springer, who performed 8 fourth-quarter minutes the night time earlier than and was now making his Maine Celtics debut.

Walsh, the beloved rookie who has been on task with Maine many of the 12 months, was additionally within the line-up, as have been two-way gamers JD Davison, Neemias Queta, and Drew Peterson, every of whom have spent stints of their season with the father or mother membership.

Jordan Walsh, who completed the night time with 19 factors and 9 rebounds. instructed CelticsBlog postgame that seeing his Celtics teammates and coaches on the sidelines added some additional motivation.

“I wished to indicate them that I can hoop. I’m a official hooper, what I imply?” Walsh mentioned, laughing. “After I’m in Boston, I don’t play, so once they come down right here and see me play it’s like ‘oh okay, this man can truly hoop.’ It’s not like I’m a bum or nothing.”

Assistant coaches Charles Lee, Amile Jefferson, Phil Pressey, Tyler Lashbrook, Ross McMains, Matt Reynolds and others have been additionally in attendance, as was senior marketing consultant Jeff Van Gundy, who may hardly look away from the motion.

The Maine Celtics ended up popping out with a 127-112 win over the Skyhawks – their ninth victory of their final 10 video games as they gear up for a playoff run.

Neemias Queta, who’s spent a lot of the 12 months with Boston, was dominant on each ends and completed with 18 factors (Sept. 11 FG), 9 rebounds, and three blocks. Queta mentioned that he’s at all times excited by the chance to play with Maine, and that he’s grateful for the 12 months he’s had with the Celtics.

“It’s positively been an awesome 12 months for me, with the ability to study with a number of the finest gamers within the league and the most effective group within the league proper now.” Queta mentioned. “It’s positively serving to me be a extra constant participant, attending to develop day by day, so I’ve simply been grateful for that.”

JD Davison, the second-year participant who’s spent the vast majority of the previous two seasons with Maine, went down within the second half with an ankle harm and was in boot after the sport — however put up 13 factors and eight assists earlier than exiting.

At halftime, the Celtics gamers in attendance upgraded their seats from the bleachers to courtside, and after the ultimate buzzer sounded, the Maine and Boston gamers mingled by the court docket.

Walsh, who mentioned he’s spent the 12 months bettering his capturing and screening, views the Celtics gamers who got here out to help as inspiration.

“With each sport, I get extra comfy, and hopefully I get somewhat bit higher,” Walsh mentioned. “I need to be just like the older guys, like Jrue [Holiday], the blokes sitting on the sideline. The sport is so gradual for them, they play at their very own tempo. If I need to get to that degree, that’s one of many issues I’ve to remove from them.”

Earlier than the sport, Springer mentioned he was excited to get some run. “I’m wanting ahead to getting out right here and competing, with the ability to play some good minutes, and simply having enjoyable.” Final 12 months’s G-League Finals MVP actually regarded like he had a blast as he terrorized the Skyhawks protection for a game-high 26 factors on 11-18 capturing.

There’s lengthy been a connection between the 2 franchises — Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet each have roots as teammates in Maine, and each at the moment are pivotal rotation gamers for the Celtics. Drew Peterson, who had 9 factors, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds within the win, beforehand instructed CelticsBlog he’s watched a whole lot of Hauser movie from his time in Maine as he works to enhance his protection and general sport.

“I watched some clips of his protection when he was right here, how one can make an impression in many various methods, even with out the ball,” Peterson mentioned final month. “It’s one thing the place there’s a transparent framework, and an understanding of what you are able to do to get to that degree, and get to be making a job and an impression. It’s positively one thing I’m taking a look at day by day, and am attempting to have the ability to maximize.”

On Tuesday night time, the gamers on the sideline served as a reminder for the G-league guys of the place they need to get to as basketball gamers.

However for the Celtics gamers themselves, it was an evening off from the grind of the common season, and a uncommon alternative to simply take pleasure in themselves, seize some popcorn, and be spectators for the night time.