The little-used guard got the call when Boston couldn't stop the Clippers' guards. He delivered stout defense and more in an overtime win.

Will we be seeing more of the young guard in the future? Was this the Celtics' way of pumping up his potential trade value?

You never know when you’re going to play,” Jayson Tatum said. “Game’s not going the way it’s supposed to or we expect. Joe calls your number to come and shut somebody down and give us a spark off the bench,

The Celtics had to sweat out an overtime win over the Clippers on Wednesday, but wouldn't have done it without Jaden Springer and his defensive intensity.

Despite a host of injuries, Springer was unable to push his way into any meaningful playing time prior to Wednesday night. He had been on the floor for just 72 minutes over 19 games, most of those coming in garbage time.

When he got his opportunity, Celtics guard Jaden Springer delivered and then some Wednesday night. Read more on Boston.com.

Jaden Springer hit a game-saving overtime three after forcing six turnovers in 20 minutes as a change of pace sub with the Celtics down in the third.

CLNS Media's Bobby Manning and Noa DalzellI break down the Boston Celtics' disappointing 117-96 loss to the Lakers

The Celtics nearly blew a gimme on Wednesday, but they pulled themselves together in overtime and defeated a short-handed Clippers team 117-113. Here are the takeaways.

The Celtics outlasted the severely shorthanded Clippers 117-113 in overtime, getting key contributions from a surprise source.

It was a back-and-forth affair between the two short-handed squads. The Celtics appeared to take control in the fourth quarter, but late-game miscues allowed the Clippers to force OT. Boston sealed its victory with a barrage of 3-pointers in the extra period.

One night later, Boston players all but shrugged their shoulders after falling to the Lakers 117-96 on the second leg of a back-to-back. Kristaps Porziņģis, who has been critical of the Celtics after their worst games recently, sounded ready to dump the latest poor result into the nearest trash can and forget about it for good.