Olynyk needs to spend this summer in the weight room getting stronger, and perhaps a few weeks playing pickup at Rucker Park in Harlem would add to his fortitude. Olynyk didn’t exactly endear himself to the organization by missing 18 games with a sprained right ankle. And since his return a month ago, he has been hesitant to engage or shoot.

Just four days ago, mammoth Clippers center DeAndre Jordan literally grabbed a defensive rebound out of Olynyk’s hands and then scored in the 7-footer’s face with no resistance.

It’s been a difficult sophomore season for Kelly Olynyk, one in which his toughness has been challenged on several occasions.


Strangely, Olynyk sparkled in Wednesday’s critical 100-87 win over the Pacers despite sporting a left eye that was grotesquely swollen after taking an elbow from teammate Shavlik Randolph during a pregame one-on-one session. Mike Tyson’s opponents during the former heavyweight champ’s prime came out looking less battered than Olynyk did after his collision with Randolph.

It was so bleak that Celtics coach Brad Stevens said it was “very unlikely” Olynyk would even play.

But there he was prior to the game, sprinting out to the court with teammate Phil Pressey to take shots and laughing with team president Danny Ainge, who played in an era where black eyes were considered love taps.

Olynyk looked comfortable, if not handsome pregame, then tallied 19 points in 22 minutes as the Celtics responded with a second significant win following the Clippers’ drubbing.

It was a performance that adds to Olynyk’s confounding career so far. There are times when he visibly lacks confidence, lumbers around the floor, makes defensive mistakes, and passes up open shots.

And there are nights such as Wednesday when he shoots with passion and confidence, moves without the ball, and uses his athleticism to out-pace defenders.


He was 7 for 10 from the floor, including 3 for 4 from the 3-point line. On his final 3-pointer, a right-elbow shot that extended Boston’s lead to 94-78 with 3:53 left, Olynyk held his shooting hand in the air as if he were Woody Harrelson’s stunt double in “White Men Can’t Jump.” It was an act of confidence, a shot that he has to knock down consistently to stay on the court.

“[Tuesday] night I went in the gym and got a lot of shots up, just kind of repped it out and just felt really good,” he said.

“Today I was feeling good, before the game I was feeling good even after I got hit, I came back out and tried it out so I knew I was going to have a good one tonight.”

After getting elbowed, Olynyk went to the eye doctor and rejected offers to dilate his eyes because he wanted to play. So they sutured up the wound and he was ready.

The Celtics have been seeking this type of toughness from Olynyk for the past several months, patiently waiting as he gains comfort.

Stevens has stressed aggressiveness to Olynyk, but the former point guard acknowledged he has trouble taking shots that aren’t in the flow of the offense, even if they are open.

“He was active, he got his hands on balls, defensively, he got a couple of rebounds but also got a couple of tip-outs and kept balls alive that other people corralled,” Stevens said. “The biggest thing is when he makes shots, he gives us a guy that spreads the floor. He gives us a guy that can pass. That passing ability is pretty unique for a guy his size. Obviously we need him to play well for us to be as good as we can be.”


Olynyk has scored 44 points in his past three games on 18-for-31 shooting as the Celtics are vying for one of the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.

It’s been an erratic season for the second-year forward/center. Opposing teams have challenged his ability to shoot and he has balked. Miami center Hassan Whiteside literally tried pushing him into a stanchion last month. Olynyk made the classy move of accepting Whiteside’s apology, but his forgiving, nice-guy attitude didn’t help his reputation as a player who refrains from confrontation.

Olynyk showed his organization something Wednesday, and the Celtics are hoping it leads to a more rugged and productive player.

Gary Washburn can be reached at gwashburn@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GwashburnGlobe.