Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, in a fit of anger after the game, jokes that he wished the referee a “Merry Christmas.”
If it looked like that Boston Celtics It would be wrong to assume that head coach Joe Mazzulla was upset with the referees after Thursday night’s loss to the Chicago Bulls. At least that’s what Mazzulla wants people to think.
After the 117-108 loss, Mazzulla accused the court of wanting to speak to referee Justin Van Duyne, apparently in reference to the back-to-back technical questions the referee had given him and the Celtics forward Jaylen Brown in the fourth quarter.
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla reacts after being assessed a technical foul as they face the Chicago Bulls in the second half at TD Garden on December 19, 2024 in Boston. (David Butler II-Imagn Images)
Several people had to restrain Mazzulla. He was eventually escorted off the field without incident.
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During his post-match press conference, Mazzulla said he received a technical penalty for entering the pitch – something he admittedly shouldn’t have done. However, when Mazzulla was asked what “message” he was trying to convey at the end of the game, he had an interesting explanation.
“I hadn’t seen her in a while, so just one ‘Merry Christmas, “Happy Holidays,” he said with a serious expression.
“I wasn’t sure if I would see them before the holidays, and you just can’t let a moment go by when you wish someone and their families the best.”
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla held back as he reacted after being called for a technical foul during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden on December 19, 2024 in Boston. (David Butler II-Imagn Images)
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However, Brown didn’t wish anyone a happy holiday when speaking to the match officials.
“I said to (Van Duyne), ‘You called a technician for no reason.’ He said, “If you tell me again, I’ll call another technician,” Brown said, explaining that he contacted Van Duyne to clarify what Mazzula’s technique was for.
“You can’t threaten guys with a technical foul, it’s not part of the game. If you want to punish guys for gesticulating and all that, then that’s good. This is bullshit—.”
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, No. 7, and Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic, No. 9, chase after a loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, in Boston . (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
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Mazzulla will have a chance to spread even more holiday cheer when the two teams meet again on Saturday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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