Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla drops NSFW truth bomb on need to ‘nut up’ in playoffs

BOSTON, MA — Sacrifice has been a key component of the 2023-24 Boston Celtics.  Head coach Joe Mazzulla recognized that after his squad prevailed 113-98 over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Following the Wednesday night win, which sent the Celtics to its fourth Eastern Conference Finals in five seasons, Mazzulla stated that what goes into winning isn't always pretty, but it's a necessary part of the process.

“At the end of the day, if you want to win, you have to do whatever it takes,” Mazzulla said in his postgame remarks. “And you got to be open-minded and have the humility to understand it's going to look different every night.  

“If you say you want to win, everybody wants to win until it's really time to win, because then you got to nut up and do a bunch of s**t that you don't want to do,” Mazzulla continued. “So, the guys, credit to them. They consistently do that. And we just have to keep that up.”

The 35-year-old coach used Celtics star Jaylen Brown to prove his point.

“Jaylen only took nine shots tonight, but he was, I thought, tremendous defensively. He was locked in on his communication. I could hear him.”

Brown would be the top offensive option on many teams throughout the league. In Boston though, he often isn't. Yet, that sacrifice he makes in giving up shots and instead focusing on defense and other parts of his game has helped elevate the C's.

Fellow star Jayson Tatum has made some sacrifices as well. Despite being the go-to guy typically, he's been passing and playmaking a lot more than usual instead of strictly playing “hero ball.”

In the first round, Tatum wasn't even Boston's leading scorer, but he was their top passer and rebounder. Against the Cavs, he led the Celtics in points, assists, rebounds, and steals.

“Every game's gonna be different. Every series is gonna be different, regardless of who we play, it's gonna be different,” Mazzulla said. “Sub patterns, different matchups, different lineups. Just gotta do it. And the guys get it, so credit to them.”

Of course, there is a time and place for when stars have to take over, especially in the NBA playoffs. However, it speaks to the Celtics' balance that they're able to win in different ways and don't mind missing out on some personal glory if it takes them one step closer to a championship.

How Joe Mazzulla has led Celtics this postseason

Mazzulla is the youngest coach in the entire league, resulting in the media and other talking heads overlooking his impact on the Green Team.

For further proof of that, look to this year's NBA Coach of the Year standings, which saw Mazzulla place fourth and not even qualify as a finalist. Although he doesn't seem to care much about personal accolades, a part of his sacrifice has been raising up his team rather than himself.

“Joe has been key for our success,” veteran center Al Horford said during his postgame presser. “I feel like he had put us in positions defensively, but also offensively, for us to continue to grow as players on the offensive side of the ball.” 

“And just as a leader, as a leader of our group, we follow him. He demands a lot from us. We're right there, working away,” Horford continued. “We know obviously that we still have a ways to go, but he's done a very good job this year.”

Those were kind, telling words from Horford, who's spent more years with the organization and is slightly older than Mazzulla.

“Since I got the job, he made a decision to trust me, which he didn't have to do,” Mazzulla revealed when asked about his relationship with Horford. “A guy who's been around as long as he has. The stature that he has. The things he's accomplished and the coaches that he's worked for. He didn't have to. From day one, I felt the trust and the support, so I’m grateful for that.”

Mazzulla and company aren't content with reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. Most of the Celtics have been there before, and the entire franchise is hungry for Banner No. 18. To capture that elusive championship they'll either have to go through the Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks.

Boston won the season series against both teams, yet the Pacers and Knicks weren't swept. No matter who earns the right to play the Celtics, which might be decided after Game 6 on Friday night, it should be Boston's toughest task yet this postseason.