Strong G League production keeps both prospects squarely in Boston’s plans
Sunday night wasn’t just a tough loss for the Celtics (47-24), it was also a reminder of how fluid the back end of their roster has become.
Fresh off a 102-92 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves (44-28) at TD Garden, Boston made a pair of expected but telling moves, assigning Max Shulga and Amari Williams back to the Maine Celtics.
It’s a pattern that’s become increasingly familiar over the past few months, with both players shuttling between Boston and its G League affiliate as needed.
For Shulga, the NBA sample size remains small, but Sunday offered another efficient glimpse of what he can bring.
In just two minutes, he finished with 4 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist, making the most of a limited window.
That’s been the theme for the 2025 second-round pick, who has appeared in six games for Boston this season.
Where Shulga has really made his case, though, is in Maine.
Across 25 G League games, he’s been one of the more complete guards in the system, averaging 15.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 7.0 assists while shooting 43.2% from the field and nearly 40% from three.
Add in 1.6 steals per game, and you’re looking at a player who isn’t just producing, he’s impacting games in multiple ways.
The skill set is there. The opportunity just isn’t. Yet.
Williams’ development has followed a similar blueprint.
The 2025 second-round pick has seen limited action in Boston, averaging 1.3 points and 1.6 rebounds in 19 NBA games.
But in the G League, he’s been dominant:
18.2 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting nearly 60%.
The defensive flashes, in particular, have stood out, even in brief NBA minutes.
For both players, this isn’t about being sent down.
It’s about staying on track.
Boston is clearly prioritizing development over short-term roles, using Maine as an extension of its roster rather than a step away from it. And for players like Shulga and Williams, that means the message is simple:
Keep producing. Stay ready. Your time is coming.
Jan 28, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Amari Williams (77) attempts a layup against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at the TD Garden. (Brian Fluharty/Imagn Images)JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.