When we think the Celtics can’t do any better, they keep finding new ways to surprise us. Tonight, it was the rookie. Baylor Scheierman took over the game with his elite shooting skills. Touted as the best shooter of the 2024 Draft class, the 24-year-old guard lived up to the expectations. However, following tonight’s success, Scheierman, who followed Jayson Tatum’s route so far, vowed to discontinue it amid his hot pursuit approved by Joe Mazzula.

Taking on the Brooklyn Nets, the Celtics went in with a shorthanded roster. The usual bigwigs like JT, Jaylen Brown, and Jrue Holiday didn’t lace up. At the same time, Schierman made sure that Big Deuce wasn’t missed tonight. Coming off the bench, the rookie saved the Celts from embarrassment in front of the home crowd.

The Brooklyn side had answers for every single threat posed by the Boston side except for Baylor Scheierman’s mastery. Whenever the Celts struggled to amp up their lead, the rookie shot the bucket from deep. Not once or twice, but 6 three-pointers off the bench, recording a career-high 20 points. Not only that, he pulled out Jayson Tatum‘s blow-kiss celebration. Importantly, it didn’t escape the media’s radar, and a reporter asked about it at the post-game presser.

The reporter asked if Jayson Tatum had co-signed the celebration with him. That’s when the rookie surprised us with the reaction. He said, “We talked a little bit about it in the locker room and I have to start working on different celebrations.” Well, looks like JT isn’t happy with Scheierman sharing his celebration.

The Celts superstar had been tied with the accusation of copying celebrations from various players since his team won the ring. Ironically now, Baylor wanted to move away from his franchise leader’s celebration. Nevertheless, the rookie is tough enough to handle anything thrown at him. At least, that’s what Coach Joe Mazzula said about him. 

After ditching Jayson Tatum’s celebration, the rookie approves Coach Joe’s revelation

The moment Baylor sat at the presser, the reporters asked questions non-stop. And one of them was about Joe Mazzula. Following the game, the champion coach praised the rookie’s grit and said Baylor played with a “chip on his shoulder” and has a “FU mindset“. Well, that’s quite a compliment for a rookie. 

When the praise came his way, he took it in stride. “Yeah, I’d agree with that,” he said, without a hint of arrogance. But he didn’t stop there—he explained exactly why that mindset is essential. “You kind of have to have that mentality to make it, you know, in this league with a lot of talented players.”

And he’s not wrong. It took three starters sitting out just for Baylor to get a full 16-minute run in the game. That’s how fierce the competition is in this league—nothing comes easy.

The 24-year-old continued, “Every time I step out on that court I’m trying to go you know 110% and play as hard as I can regardless of the score or who we’re playing and just try to put my best foot forward every single time.” Well, it’s a heads-up to Mazzulla. With only a month left for the post-season, Mazzulla has to chart out his trump cards who will surprise his opponents with a flurry, like Baylor did today.

Do you think Baylor will get a call-up again in the postseason? Let us know in the comments below.