The Boston Celtics lost a must-watch matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers this week wherein All-Star forward Paul George made his co-headlining debut alongside two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. The pair of All-Star forwards, sharing the court together for the first time, had some help, though, with Patrick Beverley hitting clutch 3-pointers in overtime to down Jayson Tatum and the Celtics.

Despite the loss on the road, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens was still proud of newcomer point guard Kemba Walker in the defeat, praising his leadership, per NBC Sports Boston's A. Sherrod Blakely on Twitter.

“That's what good leaders do. That's part of it. He's great about that stuff.”

Walker, 29, joined the Celtics in the offseason, signing a four-year, $140 million contract to play in Boston (officially a sign-and-trade) after eight seasons as the face of the Charlotte Hornets franchise. Despite the six-footer Walker's incremental improvements during his time in Charlotte—three All-Star appearances—the Hornets only reached the playoffs in two years in the former UConn guard's tenure.

Walker also arrived in Beantown with All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving departing, partially in disgrace as the one-time NBA champion once promised to re-sign with the Celtics and instead joined forces with Kevin Durant in Brooklyn. Irving was criticized for his lack of leadership qualities, which apparently Stevens sees aplenty in the veteran Walker.

Boston is an emerging team with a good record through the early part of the 2019-20 NBA season, and Stevens will need a consistent Walker all season to bring along younger players in the maturing Jayson Tatum, recently extended Jaylen Brown, and the Celtics' host of second-year and rookie players like Robert Williams and Grant Williams.