Celtics make another starting lineup shakeup against the Hornets

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: Jordan Walsh #27 and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrate during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

CHARLOTTE — The Celtics will start Derrick White, Jordan Walsh, Paul George, Jayson Tatum, and Neemias Queta when they face the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night.

It’s the first time that particular combination has started; Walsh started the first five games of the season, while Hugo Gonzalez started in place of him over the last three. Similarly, Mitchell Robinson started the first five games of the season, while Neemias Queta started the last three.

At Celtics shootaround Friday morning, Walsh was hard on himself when asked to evaluate how his first 8 games have gone.

Walsh’s minutes trended downwards in the games Gonzalez started. After playing 18 or more minutes in three of the Celtics’ first four games, he hasn’t played more than 12 minutes since October 27th.

“I haven’t been playing great — but the starting, not starting thing, it’s not about that,” Walsh said. “That’s just kind of Joe’s thing, like he wants to try new things. Like, that’s fine. But I’m still playing the same amount of minutes. So, I still gotta produce in those minutes. Like, I gotta do that better.”

On the other side, the Hornets will start Grayson Allen, Naz Reid, Brandon Miller, Colby White, and Ryan Kalkbrenner.

It is the Celtics’ second NBA Cup game of the season; they previously beat the Chicago Bulls 125-111 in the first game of of Group Play.

The Celtics are 6-2 to start the year, while the Hornets are 3-6.