Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla dismissed Coach of the Year speculation ahead of Monday’s matchup at State Farm Arena, calling the recognition a “stupid award.”
Mazzulla told reporters, “I think it’s a stupid award. They shouldn’t have it and it’s more about the players and it’s more about the work that the staff puts in and it’s just that simple. I really don’t ever want to be asked or talked about it again.”
The coach emphasized that success belongs to the roster and support staff. “The players play, it’s about them. Staff works their ass off. I’m grateful for that,” Mazzulla said.
Mazzulla also spoke about Jayson Tatum, who recently returned from injury and earned Player of the Week honors. “It’s a good small affirmation that he’s continuing to chip away at being, you know, just getting better and better. So it’s a credit to the work that he’s put in, you know, his team that everybody that’s helped him get back to where he is now,” he said.
When asked to define the Celtics’ culture, Mazzulla noted alignment across the organization. “When you take a look at the people that we have, it starts there. Alignment organization top to bottom, ownership, the empowerment of the front office, the players… I think it starts with the good players and really your best players, the type of character that they have, the competitive character that they have,” he said.
Tatum was held out of Monday’s game for injury management. Mazzulla explained the decision, saying, “I honestly didn’t. I swear I just trust the people that we trust, the sports science team, trust Nick, the guy that’s been with him a lot of his career… what’s best for our team. That’s what’s best for him right now.”
Mazzulla praised the adaptability of his roster despite the absence of key players. “I think they’re just competitive and they force into what gives us a chance to win the game at that particular time. You want to be able to validate a locker room to where one through 17 can impact winning any given night,” he said.
Boston fell behind in the third quarter as the Atlanta Hawks outscored the Celtics 36-22, led by Onyeka Okongwu and Jalen Johnson, who each scored 20 points with double-doubles. Johnson recorded his 45th double-double of the season with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s 27-foot 3-pointer sealed a 54-all halftime tie and helped Atlanta maintain momentum.
Jaylen Brown returned from a two-game absence to score 29 points with 10 rebounds, while Luka Garza added 20 points and nine rebounds. Dyson Daniels, Okongwu, and Jonathan Kuminga returned from Saturday’s game, with Daniels contributing 18 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
The Celtics made a late push from a 21-point deficit in the fourth quarter but could not overcome Atlanta, losing 112-102. Boston will face Miami on Wednesday, while the Hawks visit Orlando.
