Celtics Roll Out Chaotic Starting Lineup Against Hornets

The Boston Celtics are rolling out a starting five on Friday night that looks like a 2K MyLeague simulation where you accidentally simmed past the injury report.

According to Underdog NBA, Boston is starting Derrick White, Jordan Walsh, Paul George, Jayson Tatum, and Neemias Queta against the Charlotte Hornets.

"Underdog NBA reported: 'Lineup alert: Celtics will start White, Walsh, George, Tatum, Queta on Friday.'"

Yes, you read that right. Jordan Walsh and Neemias Queta are getting the nod alongside the heavy hitters. If you had that exact starting five on your bingo card back in October, you should probably be under federal investigation for time travel.

The 6-2 Celtics are currently sitting third in the East, and they are clearly comfortable shuffling the deck against a 3-6 Hornets squad. Tatum is still out here doing MVP things with 27 points and nearly eight assists a night, while White is fresh off dropping 24 points and seven dimes on the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.

But the real story is the fringe guys getting the spotlight. Walsh is averaging just over four points in 15 minutes a game this season, and now he is tasked with holding down the wing next to two future Hall of Famers. Queta, meanwhile, leads the team with 6.3 rebounds a night and gets to anchor the paint.

For anyone staring at the prop markets, trying to figure out how the usage rate shakes out between Tatum, George, and White with this specific combination of role players is going to be a serious math problem. Someone has to take the shots that usually go to the missing regulars, and it probably is not going to be Walsh.

Boston tips off in Charlotte on Friday night before heading to Milwaukee on Sunday. We will see if this chaotic lineup is a one-night fever dream or a glimpse into how the Celtics plan to manage their rotation through the grind of the regular season.