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Following a career night, Josh Minott isn’t taking his starting role for granted
"At the end of the day, every time I go out I just assume that it can always be taken from me."
Following a tough loss to the Utah Jazz Monday night, the Celtics got back on track with a 136-107 rout of the Washington Wizards on Wednesday.
Sitting at 4-5 now, Boston seems to have found a staple in their starting lineup: Newcomer Josh Minott.
After three seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves where he averaged 2.3 points per game, he signed a two-year deal with the Celtics over the summer.
While he came in expected to be a role player off the bench, Minott has impressed many to start the year, earning him a place in the starting five. He’s averaging 9.1 points on 22.5 minutes, and has shown his athleticism on both ends of the court.
The decision to start him paid off Wednesday night, as Minott dropped a career-high 21 points to go along with five rebounds and three steals.
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The 6-foot-8 forward has shown his competitiveness all year, even when the Celtics are winning comfortably.
“We never let up bro, let me stop you there,” Minott said when asked about starting to let up while up 30. “I would consider it won by then, but we’re working for the future. There’s never a let up.”
This competitiveness has earned Minott the respect of his teammates, who have thrived off the energy and effort he brings. He has primarily been a spark on defense thus far (having three steals on three separate occasions this season), and Jaylen Brown believes this is significant for the team’s success.
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“He’s huge for us,” Brown told reporters post-game on Wednesday. “His energy, his length, his athleticism is big for us. Anytime he brings it like that we’re a better team.”
The chemistry between Brown and Minott has begun to show on the court, with the duo combining for scores multiple times against the Wizards.
Even with this career night, Minott is aware that nothing in this league is guaranteed, and that he could be pulled from the lineup at any time. However, he believes this is what continues to push him to perform.
“I don’t take it for granted, I don’t consider that I have any staying power,” Minott stated. “I’m trying to go out there like this s*** can end tomorrow, because it can. I’m appreciative that they trust me with [starting]. At the end of the day, every time I go out I just assume that it can always be taken from me.”
The Celtics will look to continue playing off Minott’s energy as they take on the Magic Friday night, and try to improve to .500.
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