The Boston Celtics rolled the dice this offseason, betting on players with untapped potential to bolster their already formidable roster. In their preseason opener on Wednesday night, that gamble paid immediate dividends as they cruised to a commanding 121-103 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Stealing the spotlight was reserve forward Josh Minott, a 23-year-old free agent signing who showcased the kind of dynamic, game-changing energy that could make him a key piece in Boston’s championship puzzle.
Minott, who inked a two-year deal with a team option in July after spending three seasons largely glued to the bench in Minnesota, seized his opportunity in Boston. Playing a team-high 26 minutes off the bench, he stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block. While his three-point shooting (0-for-3) left room for improvement, his relentless motor and defensive tenacity left an undeniable mark on the game. From crashing the boards to generating deflections, Minott’s fingerprints were all over Boston’s 18-point rout.
“He just has a knack for the situation or play on both ends of the floor,” head coach Joe Mazzulla said postgame in Memphis. “Whether it’s getting offensive rebounds, a couple steals, a couple blocks—he has some good versatility. He has a knack for the ball and for being in the mix.” Mazzulla’s praise underscores what Celtics fans saw on display: a player with the athleticism and hustle to thrive in Boston’s uptempo system.
Minott’s path to this moment hasn’t been easy. In three years with the Timberwolves, he never logged more than 20 minutes in a regular-season game, buried on a stacked playoff roster. But Boston’s wing rotation offers a fresh start. Beyond stars Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Sam Hauser, minutes at the wing are up for grabs, with Minott competing alongside rookies Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, and Hugo Gonzalez. In Wednesday’s win, Minott and Gonzalez stood out, their defensive intensity and relentless energy setting them apart.
The Celtics’ front office deserves credit for their foresight. Minott’s two-year contract could prove to be a masterstroke, especially with Tatum’s return next season amplifying the team’s potential. Boston hasn’t had a bench player with Minott’s blend of athleticism and hustle in recent years, and his performance aligns perfectly with Mazzulla’s vision of a fast-paced, high-energy identity. “At both ends of the floor, we played with the right intentions,” Mazzulla noted. “Of the 48 minutes, I’d say 32 to 34 were at the pace we wanted. We just have to maintain those habits.”
As the Celtics prepare for their next preseason test on Friday, all eyes will be on Minott. With Payton Pritchard, Anfernee Simons, and Neemias Queta expected to return after resting in Memphis, and other starters potentially sitting out, Minott has a golden opportunity to solidify his case for a rotation spot. His performance on Wednesday was a statement—a tantalizing glimpse of what he could bring to a team with championship aspirations. If Minott continues to deliver, Boston’s latest gamble might just turn into one of the steal signings of the offseason.