An unlikely hero emerged during the Boston Celtics‘ Game 7 win over John Wall and the Washington Wizards on Monday night.
Kelly Olynyk, who’s probably known more for knocking Kevin Love out of the playoffs with a devastating arm bar in 2015 than anything else, stepped up and delivered 26 points, five rebounds, and four assists in what can only be described as a career game for the seven-foot bench player.
What was most impressive about Olynyk’s performance was the 14 points he scored down the stretch in the fourth quarter.
Kelly Olynyk goes off for 14 PTS in Q4. #ItsNotLuck#NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/3MmH2qSvoD
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2017
At times, it appeared as if Olynyk couldn’t miss if he tried to.
Take a look at Kelly Olynyk’s domination and listen to our statistical take on his performance. pic.twitter.com/kMJAGmusDq
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 16, 2017
Naturally, the Internet went absolutely berserk, and a plenitude of hilarious memes, videos, and other random posts surfaced across the world’s premier social media platforms.
Kelly Olynyk will be dating Khloé Kardashian by the end of the week.
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) May 16, 2017
This guy? pic.twitter.com/c8Fs6Bmvx5
— numberFire (@numberFire) May 16, 2017
how is LeBron gonna stop Kelly Olynyk
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger_sherman) 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 (@ESPNForsberg) May 16, 2017
phil jackson just googled “kelly olynyk contract how many more years”
— jay ???kang (@jaycaspiankang) 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
.@celtics ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!! ??? #ManBuns
— KG’s Area 21 (@KGArea21) May 16, 2017
Shot chart for Olynyk pic.twitter.com/03r0GMr0Hi
— Neil Greenberg (@ngreenberg) May 16, 2017
Even Stephen A Smith couldn’t tell you Kelly Olynyk ??pic.twitter.com/dKjS2JIQ6p
— Spark ⚡️ Sports (@Spark_Sports_) May 16, 2017
After the game, Olynyk cited the attention Washington was forced to pay to Isaiah Thomas as the reason he was able to get so many good looks at the basket.
As the No. 1 seed, the Celtics will host LeBron James and the defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference finals series on Wednesday.