When you don’t normally see the court, it’s hard to stay ready. Over the past couple of years, the Boston Celtics bench was called the Stay Ready group which primarily consisted of players like Sam Hauser, Payton Pritchard, Neemias Queta, and Luke Kornet. However, all players must be ready because you never know when you get your chance, even if you’re the 12th man.
On Thursday against the LA Clippers midway through the third quarter, it was Jaden Springer’s number that was called and he stepped up big time. When Springer was acquired on trade deadline day last year, he was known as a lockdown defender and he lived up to that tagline locking up the Clippers backcourt in the overtime win.
It only took 12 minutes for Springer to rack up four steals. His quick feet allow him to get over screens quickly and he’s strong enough that the Clippers couldn’t push him off on drives.
In this clip, Springer beats his man to the spot and correctly guesses where Derrick Jones Jr.’s next dribble is and snatched it away.
Early in the game, Kevin Porter Jr. was getting to his spots and his quickness seemed to be too much for any Boston guard. Then Mazzulla decided to turn to Springer to stop LA’s lefty playmaker.
“He’s got an innate skill to impact the game with his physicality and his defense. I thought that’s what the game needed at the time. I thought their guards were a little too comfortable. He has an ability to really change the game that way,” Mazzulla said.
“Hats off to him. I think one of the best things you could do in this league is to just deliver when your name is called regardless of when it is. It’s a credit to him, and the work ethic that he has. I thought it was his defense, his physicality, his presence that changed the game for us.”
Then again midway through the fourth quarter, Springer used his length to get another steal and drew the foul to continue to spark Boston. Springer helped Boston go on a 13-0 run after trailing by six points to retake the lead in the final frame.
It wasn’t just his defense that helped change the game, but basketball is a two-way sport and you have to make shots if you want to play. Springer only made two of his six shots, but he made the two biggest shots when it mattered most.
With 3:07 left in the fourth quarter, Springer connected on a corner three to make it 99-93. Moments before, he airballed a three on the other side of the court.
Then in overtime, the Clippers had the crowd behind them and they were starting to make a comeback. But with Boston up two and under 40 seconds left, Jayson Tatum found Springer behind the arc again and he buried a three to make it a two-possession game.
What was noticeable about the two shots that Springer made was they were assisted by Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. It showed that when the Celtics needed a basket, they didn’t let their egos get in the way of making the right play.
“It felt great. JT trusted me, he swung the ball, I knocked it down and everybody went crazy. It was a great feeling. Had the team supported me, Joe trusting in me, it felt good,” Springer said.
Then in the locker room, when asked about the overtime three, Springer again gave praise to Tatum for the pass.
“That was big, man. Shoutout JT,” Springer said.
When asked by Abby Chin of NBC Sports Boston about what his message was when he entered the game, Springer kept it simple:
“Go in there and make a difference. Go out there play defense. Play hard. That’s what they told me to do,” Springer said. “My teammates trusted me all night. They were cheering me on, so shoutout to them for having my back the whole time.”
Springer was asked how it felt to make such an impact, he said it was “great,” and that he’s been working for this moment.
“You know this is what we work for every day, you’re around the team so I know you see it day in and day out what we work on. The staff does a great job with everybody, so they keep us prepared and ready when our time is called like tonight,” Springer said.
With Boston playing inconsistent basketball over the last few games, it’s important to find players who can provide a spark. On Thursday without Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis, it was Springer. The next time Joe Mazzulla needs to slow an opposing player down, he won’t hesitate to put Springer in.
