Kelly Olynyk hasn’t had many opportunities to start for the Boston Celtics this season.
But when it happens, good things tend to happen for both him and the Celtics.
And Saturday night was no exception as the Celtics rallied for a 121-114 win over Charlotte which moves Boston one step closer to clinching the No. 1 or 2 seed in the East.
Olynyk, making his sixth start of the season, tallied his second double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds in addition to four assists before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
When asked about Olynyk’s double-double, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens quipped, “was that points and fouls?”
Stevens added, “He’s a good player. We need him to play well. His skillset is important to our team.”
Especially on a night when Amir Johnson (sick) was unable to play.
“Starting is different,” Olynyk told reporters after the game. “You can kind of go out there and let the game come to you. You have a lot more … you know if you miss an opportunity there’s going to be another one coming; you’re going to get another stint out there. It’s just about letting the game come to you and being more in the flow rather than going out there and trying to make something happen.”
Olynyk stepping up and contributing is not something that comes as a surprise to his teammates.
In fact, they see Olynyk as a player with tremendous potential who doesn’t play with the kind of confidence that showcases his talents fully.
He’s known for his shooting, but his teammates know all too well that he can help in other areas as well such as rebounding.
“Having a player like Kelly that got an opportunity, come in and fill that void, it’s big for our team,” Boston’s Avery Bradley told reporters after the win. “Whoever gets that opportunity, I feel like they should take advantage of it like he did tonight.”
One of Olynyk’s more vocal supporters all season has been Isaiah Thomas.
Not surprisingly, the Eastern Conference’s top scorer had plenty of praise for his 7-foot teammate following the win.
“He’s very important,” said Thomas who led all scorers with 32 points. “I always say, when he plays well we usually win. He played a hell of a game. He took advantage of his opportunity … we need him to play like that, so I’m happy for him.”
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