Rumored as a potential trade candidate ahead of the NBA’s Feb. 6 deadline, Jaden Springer hopes to stick around with the Celtics.

Playing without six of their top eight rotation players, Derrick Jones Jr., Kevin Porter Jr and Amir Coffey lead a gutty effort as the hosts push the reigning champs until the end in a 117-113

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.

When Boston needed a stop, the calls the Celtics coach made proved disastrous, and afterward took responsibility for the loss: "I didn't help them close it at the end."

The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 117-113 in overtime. Both teams were shorthanded in this contest and Los Angeles nearly pulled off a shocking win.

Jaylen Brown scored 25 points, Jayson Tatum added 24 and the Boston Celtics rallied past the Los Angeles Clippers 117-113 in overtime when both teams were missing key players.

Mazzulla placed trust in Jaden Springer and he delivered, holding Kevin Porter Jr. scoreless in the fourth quarter and adding a key 3-pointer in overtime to ensure the Celtics would prevail on a night they didn’t play well.

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.

Playing without six of their top eight rotation players, Derrick Jones Jr., Kevin Porter Jr and Amir ... is fouled while shooting by Boston Celtics guard Derrick White during the second half ...

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.

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.

Wednesday's game between the Celtics and Clippers was highly entertaining. Boston required overtime to win despite having Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White in the lineup. The Clippers were down four starters (James Harden, Norman Powell, Kawhi Leonard, and Ivica Zubac), but the available players didn't use that as an excuse.