Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla is facing the consequences of a technical foul he received during Thursday’s game against the Chicago Bulls. The incident occurred when Mazzulla stepped onto the court to vehemently question an official’s jump-ball decision at a critical moment.
The NBA later fined Mazzulla $35,000 for “aggressively pursuing and directing inappropriate language toward a game official.” His technical foul set off a chain reaction, with two additional Celtics players, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, receiving technical fouls before the game concluded.
Jaylen Brown, the 2023-2024 NBA Finals MVP, was hit with a technical foul shortly after Mazzulla’s outburst for expressing his disagreement with the officiating. Not long after, Jayson Tatum became the third Celtic penalized in the same game. Despite their efforts, Boston struggled throughout the game and ultimately failed to secure a win.
In a post-game press conference, Mazzulla addressed the fine and his actions.
“It is what it is. Those are the rules,” Mazzulla said. He acknowledged that he anticipated the fine but clarified that his actions weren’t intended to send a broader message. “I don’t know if it’s about sending a message, but at the time, I did what I felt I needed to do, and now I’ve moved on.”
The officiating during the matchup against the Bulls has sparked heated discussions among fans and analysts about the state of NBA officiating. Critics have raised concerns about excessive whistle-blowing, touch fouls, and a perceived lack of tolerance for on-court drama. Fans and players alike took to social media to express support for Mazzulla’s fiery demeanor, with his players also backing him after the game.
“Joe’s competitive, and we all enjoy that aspect of him,” said Celtics guard Payton Pritchard before the rematch against the Bulls. “He wants to win every moment, every game, every day, and he instills that in all of us. So, I’m sure he didn’t mind taking the fine.”
Some Celtics fans believe Mazzulla’s intense reaction could serve as a much-needed wake-up call for the team. Boston has experienced several unexpected losses this season to sub-.500 teams, but they remain hopeful for a turnaround in the upcoming games.
As the conversation about NBA officiating continues, the Celtics are determined to use this moment as fuel to refocus and finish the season strong.
More on the Celtics: Celtics All-Star Among NBA’s Most Clutch Performers in Surprising Turnaround.
