Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla addressed the media Friday night following Jayson Tatum’s return from a nearly 10-month absence, as the team defeated the Dallas Mavericks 120-100 at TD Garden.
“It just means a lot outside of basketball, just as a person and just our relationship,” Mazzulla said. “Grateful to be a part of someone else’s story… this being a part of JT’s story is kind of where we’re at right now.”
Tatum opened the night missing his first six shots but still contributed 15 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists in 27 minutes. Mazzulla highlighted the All-Star’s overall impact: “I liked his approach and continued to rebound. Competed on the defensive end… he had three assists, two rebounds before we even took his first shot.” The coach emphasized the balance between performance and process, praising Tatum’s mindset during his reintegration into the lineup.
On Tatum’s conditioning after the long recovery, Mazzulla added, “I thought his conditioning was kind of better than I thought it was going to be… I thought he played with a free mind, a sense of gratitude, a sense of perspective. We cannot have a lesser version of him.” He also noted the forward’s growth over the entire season, stating, “You just see even the way he approached his workouts… he came on the other side of this a better person and I know he’ll become a better player.”
Mazzulla also spoke about Neemias Queta, who posted 16 points and 15 rebounds against the Mavericks. “Neemy’s been great for us… just watching the patience with which he chipped away at earning a career in the NBA,” Mazzulla said. “He takes a lot of pride in that, but takes a lot of ownership… he’s just a good guy, too.”
Reflecting on the broader team perspective, Mazzulla highlighted the significance of relationships in a professional sports environment. “At the end of the day, wins and losses… you’re in it to go after stuff together with people and be a part of someone else’s story and someone to be a part of yours,” he said. He credited the Celtics’ organizational culture and competitive locker room as keys to the team’s consistency. “They were really good before we all got here and they’re going to be a lot better once we’re gone,” Mazzulla added.
Boston dominated the game with balanced scoring, including 24 points from Jaylen Brown and 20 points from Derrick White. The Celtics finished with 58 rebounds to Dallas’s 45 and 29 assists while shooting 47 percent from the field.
