Celtics-Raptors Overreactions: Semi Ojeleye proves his worth

Celtics

Celtics-Raptors Overreactions: Semi Ojeleye proves his worth

The Boston Celtics got plenty of help from their supporting cast in Thursday night’s victory over the Toronto Raptors.

Semi Ojeleye and Payton Pritchard combined for 44 points and 12 3-pointers in the 120-106 win. Kemba Walker stepped up as well, contributing 21 points to go with five 3s of his own. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were able to take a back seat this time around as the two C’s stars contributed 17 and 12 points respectively.

Highlights: Ojeleye, Pritchard lead C’s to victory over Raptors

Here’s what we’re overreacting to as Boston improves to 13-11 on the season.

1. Semi Ojeleye should start more often.

Ojeleye got the spot start for the C’s on Thursday night, and he made the most of his opportunity.

The 26-year-old led Boston with 24 points while drilling six shots from beyond the arc, both career highs. Of those 24 points, 19 came in the first half.

This was the boost the Celtics needed following their two-game losing skid. Ojeleye also benefitted from outstanding ball movement from Tatum (nine assists) and Brown (career-high 10 assists).

Can we count on Ojeleye to morph into Steph Curry night in and night out? Probably not. But he did show on Thursday he can be counted on to be thrown into a starting role from time to time.

Verdict: Overreaction

2. Kemba Walker is back on the right track.

There’s no doubt Celtics fans have broken out the Kemba Walker panic meter over the last week or so. The All-Star point guard simply hasn’t looked like himself since returning from knee rehab that caused him to miss the start of the 2021 season.

Fortunately, Walker may have turned a corner on Thursday. The 30-year-old ended up with 21 points while going 5-for-8 from 3-point range.

It’s hard to get too excited about Walker’s bounce-back outing as we’ll need to see him string together a few of these performances. While this was an encouraging showing, it’s worth noting Walker is only 1-for-22 on 2-pointers over his last three games. That’s going to have to change.

Verdict: Overreaction

3. Jaylen Brown left knee tendinitis is worrisome.

Danny Ainge said Thursday morning on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Toucher & Rich” that Brown has left knee tendinitis and it’s a “concern.” That is not something you want to hear about one of your most important players.

Brown didn’t stand out in the box score with his 12 points (3-for-14), but he did notch a career-high 10 assists on the night. While this certainly wasn’t one of his better performances of the campaign, he found a way to contribute as a playmaker. It’s just another example of Brown’s impressive development, and why he deserves to be named an All-Star in 2021.

The question is, just how much will the tendinitis limit him as the season goes on?

Verdict: Not an overreaction

Next up for the C’s is a Friday night matchup vs. the Detroit Pistons at TD Garden. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET.