It’s not easy to be a strong player on a team like the Celtics. Your logs are sporadic. You may find yourself playing several games in a row without even seeing the field.

But when asked, whether as a replacement for an injured player or to take advantage of a particular match, you are expected to perform.

Jordan Walsh completed the longest appearance of his NBA career this Friday.

The 2023 second-round draft pick set career highs in minutes (21), points (nine), rebounds (five) and 3-pointers (2-for-2) in a 37-point win against the Indiana Pacers. And it wasn’t just a pointless padding of statistics either.

Walsh was part of head coach Joe Mazzulla’s regular rotation while Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday were inactive, checking in in the first quarter for the first time since December 4th. He played more minutes on Friday than in the previous eight games combined.

“It’s definitely part of his development plan and I think he’s grown a lot,” Mazzulla said before Sunday’s rematch against the Pacers at TD Garden. “Firstly, his defense. He has some great physical defensive skills, has an understanding of NBA defenses, the different coverages, the tendencies and his ability to be active. His offensive rebounding was really good. I think he’ll continue to work on his shot, which I think has gotten better.

“The biggest thing for young guys is to earn a defensive identity but also the respect of the players around you, and he does that with his attitude and his work ethic.”

Walsh, who has nine healthy DNPs this season, said it felt “amazing” to be as committed as he was Friday.

“It’s great,” he said. “I could go six, seven games (with) DNPs without playing, and then you’re thrown into a game like this where you’re expected to succeed and excel in your role. So it can be difficult at times, but always keep the mentality, even if you catch three, four DNPs, of starting the fifth game with the mentality of, “Oh, I’m going at the three-minute mark, four.” – Minute mark’, whatever it is. Just always be ready.”

While it’s still unlikely he’ll feature regularly when the Celtics are at full strength, Walsh’s development this season is reflected in his usage. After spending much of his rookie year with Boston’s G League affiliate in Maine, the 20-year-old appeared in just one game for the farm club this season (after asking not to).

Walsh has already played more than twice as many NBA games (22) as he did all of last season (nine).

“I feel super comfortable,” said the 1.90 meter tall striker. “I used to get little butterflies and was a little nervous. But now it’s like, all right, I have to go in, do my job, take care of business. I have a job to do, so I’ll get it done.”