Locked On Celtics Podcast Summary

Episode: DESTRUCTION: Boston Celtics DOMINATE Wizards, Derrick White and Jordan Walsh SHINE in Blowout
Host: John Karalis
Date: December 5, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Locked On Celtics, hosted by John Karalis, recaps an emphatic Celtics victory—a 45-point blowout over the shorthanded Washington Wizards. Karalis breaks down individual performances, with a spotlight on Derrick White’s “get right” game and the dramatic development of rookie Jordan Walsh. He also touches on the Celtics’ young supporting cast, trade rumors around Anthony Simons, and why Celtics fans should be grateful to the Toronto Raptors for wearing out the upcoming Lakers opponent.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Celtics’ Utter Domination of the Wizards

• Nature of the Blowout:

  • The Celtics took control early and cruised to one of the NBA’s biggest wins of the season.
  • Wizards were missing key players, making the Celtics’ job easier—but the dominance was still impressive.
  • Key stat: Celtics outscored the Wizards 80–42 in the second half.

• Performance Rotation:

  • Only Payton Pritchard played more than 30 minutes.
  • Starters (especially with Jaylen Brown out sick) got to rest, which positions Celtics well for the upcoming Lakers game.

Quote:

“They walked into Washington, they kind of smoked them…Derrick White: 30 points, nine assists, seven rebounds. He shot 57%...That’s great.”
— John Karalis (04:19)

2. Derrick White’s ‘Get Right’ Game & Consistency

• White's production: 30 points (season high), 9 assists, 7 rebounds, 57% FG, 42% 3PT, and his 1000th career three-pointer.
• Karalis’ Take: Notes White’s recent up-and-down shooting, but calls for “just a little bit more consistency” as the season progresses.
• Not just scoring: Praises White for his all-around contributions, urging the hope that shooting numbers become more stable.

Quote:

“Can you get to just that little bit more consistency? The Celtics have been consistently like putting little bits together all season long.”
— John Karalis (06:19)

3. Jordan Walsh: Defensive Revelation & Confidence

• Game-Changing Second Quarter: Walsh’s stretch included an and-one, a dunk off a steal, an assist, and a three-pointer—impacting the game beyond the boxscore.
• Historic Stat Line: First 20-point game of his career; stat line not seen since Kevin McHale as a Celtics rookie.

Quote:

“We’re at the point where this is, like, shocking—the turnaround…give the guy the credit for putting in the work.”
— John Karalis (09:13)

• Defensive Mastery:
  • Karalis is in awe of Walsh’s ability to rip ballhandlers one-on-one without fouling and the maturity of his timing.
  • Claims Walsh could soon pick up league-wide defensive recognition if this continues.

Quote:

“He’s straight ripping guys. I don’t know if people understand how hard this is to do…normally you get steals, there’s…the Celtics do a great kind of like run and jump…It is very difficult to just check a guy one-on-one and then poke the ball free.”
— John Karalis (13:55)

• On Young Player Development:
  • Karalis pushes back on the “he was always this good” fan narrative, emphasizing Walsh’s hard-earned improvement rooted in growing confidence.

Quote:

“Saying that Jordan Walsh improved…gives the guy more credit than just saying it was always there. Give the guy the credit for putting in the work.”
— John Karalis (09:34)

4. Supporting Cast Shines

• Nimias Queta:
  • 17 pts, 4 rebs, 2 ast, 4 blocks—playing faster, more decisively, avoiding the mistakes of last season.
  • Karalis admits he was previously “down on Queta,” but the big man’s massive improvement has won critics over.

Quote:

“He doesn’t bring the ball way down anymore. Massive improvement…and I didn’t see this much coming.”
— John Karalis (19:51)

• Jaylen Minott:

  • Settled into a bench role, continues to shoot surprisingly well from three (40%+ on the season).

• Ugo Gonzalez:

  • Noted for incredible instincts and blocks, with a plea for more G-League time to showcase his full game.

• Team Depth:

  • Karalis notes that hitting on so many young players—Walsh, Minott, Ugo, Queta—is “unbelievable” and a testament to Celtics’ scouting and development.

5. Anthony Simons’ Uneasy Role

• Scored Late but Struggled:
  • Simons hit four threes in garbage time but generally appeared unsettled.
• Trade Pressure:
  • Karalis speculates Simons is uncomfortable given persistent trade rumors and a nearly-empty locker, possibly suggesting he expects to be dealt soon.
• Potential Future:
  • If Simons stays past the deadline, Karalis predicts a bounce-back stretch: “I wouldn’t be surprised if he has, like, a monster March.”

Quote:

“His situation weighs on him…Anthony Simon’s locker is empty. It’s empty. And I think that’s for a reason…He doesn’t want to have a bunch of stuff in there whenever he gets traded.”
— John Karalis (26:20)

6. Thank You, Toronto Raptors

• Why the Thanks:
  • Raptors pushed the Lakers to a buzzer-beater, forcing LeBron (36 mins), Austin Reaves (41 mins), and others into extended minutes just before their trip to Boston.
• Impact on Celtics:
  • With the Celtics well-rested and Lakers likely fatigued—possibly resting LeBron and without Luka Doncic—Boston’s outlook for the next game is bright.

Quote:

“Thank you, Toronto Raptors, for pushing them to the limit because Austin Reaves played 41 minutes, Rui played 35 minutes—this is going to be a tired Lakers team coming in from Toronto.”
— John Karalis (29:46)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Jordan Walsh Party:

  “I went from maybe I feel like going home to second wind, let’s party…we’re going to an after party on Jordan Walsh. That’s how good he’s been playing.”
  — John Karalis (12:27)

• On Peyton Pritchard’s Stamina:

  “If anybody’s a robot out there, Peyton’s the closest thing. Like it feels like he could play 48 minutes a game every night.”
  — John Karalis (30:57)

Timed Segment Highlights

| Timestamp | Topic | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:11 | Celtics deliver NBA’s “biggest win” of the season | | 04:19 | Blowout game analysis, Derrick White’s performance, resting stars | | 09:13 | Jordan Walsh’s development, the “Jordan Walsh party” metaphor | | 13:12 | Walsh’s game-changing second quarter stretch | | 13:55 | Detailed appreciation of Walsh’s elite defensive steals | | 19:14 | Queta’s development lauded, admitting prior doubts | | 22:33 | Celtics’ surprising hit-rate on multiple young players | | 25:43 | Anthony Simons: struggles, trade rumors, locker room observation | | 29:36 | Raptors help Celtics by pushing Lakers and tiring out their key players | | 30:57 | Positional analysis for upcoming Lakers game, Celtics’ rest advantage |

Overall Tone & Takeaways

John Karalis maintains an upbeat, candid, and occasionally humorous tone—fusing sharp basketball analysis with locker room insights and anecdotes.

• The Celtics are on a roll: their depth is developing, stars are hitting stride, and bench players are outperforming expectations.
• Jordan Walsh is turning heads, not just with raw defense but with huge leaps in confidence and playmaking.
• The team’s health, especially rest for veterans, and some luck/timely help from other teams, is setting up Boston well for the packed December schedule.

For Celtics Fans: Summary Value

If you missed the episode, this recap will give you a full understanding of:

• The game’s turning points and storylines
• Which young players are blossoming—and why
• The dynamics affecting team chemistry and trade-watch players
• The Celtics’ advantageous position heading into a big Lakers matchup

For more: Find John Karalis on Locked On Celtics every weekday, with bonus breakdowns after key games!