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Boston Celtics may have just found their new Avery Bradley, Jayson Tatum reacts to star’s impressive performance

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network | By Dan Coombs | Last updated Jan 23, 2025 6:18 PM ET

The Boston Celtics won on the road at the Los Angeles Clippers, one of two LA games on their road trip.

The first of two games in LA for the Boston Celtics saw the team pitched up against the LA Clippers, who were very short-handed.

Norman Powell, James Harden, Kris Dunn, Ivica Zubac and Kawhi Leonard were all absent due to injury, and yet the Clippers forced overtime against the reigning champions.

The Celtics were not at full strength either, without Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Jrue Holiday.

Yet this provided opportunity, with Boston came out on top eventually winning 117-113, thanks to some surprise and valuable contributions.

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Jayson Tatum on Jaden Springer

Celtics star Jayson Tatum had promised to play hard on the LA road trip, and he was on his game, putting up a 24-7-8 night.

Jaylen Brown scored 25 and Derrick White 20, while there were some useful contributions from the bench, and not just Payton Pritchard.

Neemias Queta scored 11, while Jaden Springer was one of the real heroes of the night with his eight points, complemented by two rebounds and an impressive four steals.

Springer was praised by head coach Joe Mazzulla, who acknowledged his big contribution: “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.”

Tatum spoke about Springer post-game in the locker room too, commenting: “He was unbelievable.”

The MVP contender admitted he was not surprised by Springer’s contribution after watching how hard he and many of the team’s role players train and practice.

He added: “We got the utmost faith in all those guys, we know how hard they work.”

New Avery Bradley

The Boston Celtics acquired Jaden Springer from the Philadelphia 76ers in a trade in 2024, and he ended up making brief appearances in their playoff run.

The win over the Clippers was one of Springer’s most impressive performances for the Celtics, he drained two three-pointers at crucial stages in the game, in addition to scoring two free throws.

But it was his defense that caught the eye, and Boston Celtics fans will be hoping he can develop for them in the same way 2010 draft pick Avery Bradley did.

Avery Bradley was a two-time All-Defensive selection, and he too was known for his valuable ability to make steals and turn games for his team.

Bradley also was a useful player on the offensive side of the ball, putting up more than 30 points three times for the Celtics.

If Springer can develop that side of his game, he could turn out to be the Celtics’ new Avery Bradley. His contribution against the Clippers was a promising sign – and he should get more minutes in the next game against the Lakers.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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