Raise your hand if you expected Kelly Olynyk to be the star of Game 7 between the Boston Celtics and the Washington Wizards. Olynyk – whose most notable moment in the series prior to this game came when he got shoved by Kelly Oubre – had 26 points on 10-for-14 shooting, five rebounds, and four assists in Boston’s 115-105 victory on Monday night.
It was a stunning performance out of Olynyk, who killed the Wizards in the fourth quarter as Washington just kept losing track of him. Through the first six games of the series, Olynyk had been a fine-to-good role player who had a few nice games, but on Monday, he helped Isaiah Thomas really carry Boston to a win.
Needless to say, no one on the internet saw this coming. As such, everyone reacted with total shock to Olynyk’s huge night.
— Chris Gaines fan (@trillballins) May 16, 2017
The bad news is the Celtics are no longer going to have max cap space this summer because they’re going to have to give it all to Olynyk.
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) May 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/jaycaspiankang/status/864305688260079616
The Wizards gave us the phrase "The Kelly Olynyk Game" and now it will ring in their ears for all time, a weight like Jacob Marley's chains.
— matt ufford (@mattufford) May 16, 2017
Do you think Kelly Olynyk will have to cancel his shift over at Hot Topic now?
— Michael Dunlap (@DunlapSports) May 16, 2017
“We make Olynyk beat us and if that happens, so be it.”
“Beat us with contested shots?”
“No, just wander around like you’re lost in a mall."— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) May 16, 2017
(2009) Yes, this Kelly Olynyk just dropped 26 points in game 7 for the Celtics. pic.twitter.com/ORnEOBDzHC
— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) May 16, 2017
What in the name of Adam Morrison has gotten into Kelly Olynyk
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) May 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/HoopDistrictDC/status/864319097714167808
One Celtics legend – well, his TV show – weighed in and gave love to Olynyk’s hair style.
.@celtics ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!! 🍀🍀🍀 #ManBuns
— KG's Area 21 (@KGArea21) May 16, 2017
And on the topic of Celtics legends, Olynyk got praised for basically being a better Bill Russell.
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) May 16, 2017
Some decided to focus on what’s next for the Celtics: a conference finals series against Cleveland. Apparently, there isn’t much concern that Olynyk will be able to replicate his performance against LeBron James and co.
Cavs Brainstorming on how to defend Kelly Olynyk https://t.co/ydQHSHJins
— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) May 16, 2017
LeBron needs to personally hold Olynyk to zero points for the series to correct the tilting imbalance of the universe
— 🦍BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL🦍 (@edsbs) May 16, 2017
Reporter: "HEY LEBRON, Celtics advanced & will face you guys in the ECF. How do you feel about this?
LeBron: pic.twitter.com/ZFIna29xvB— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) May 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/BasedChasen/status/864312297111420928
While we’ll have to wait and see what Olynyk can do against the Cavs, the fact remains that he had a career game in Game 7 of a playoff series. No matter what he does for the rest of the postseason, at least he’ll get to say he accomplished something that cool
