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Even without star guard Jayson Tatum, who continues to recover from last year’s Achilles injury, the Boston Celtics moved into third place in the Eastern Conference standings on Tuesday.
But Boston dropped its second straight game on Monday, losing 98-96 to the Indiana Pacers. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla sat down for his routine postgame presser and effectively shut down almost all questions from reporters.
When asked about the game’s final possessions, Mazzulla replied, “Illegal screen.” Mazzulla then repeated the two-word answer to each subsequent question.
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Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla reacts during the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks at TD Garden on October 28, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Paul Rutherford/Imagn Images)
Mazzulla appeared to be alluding to the moment Pacers forward Pascal Siakam scored the go-ahead basket over Celtics guard Derrick White.
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The Celtics coach appeared to indirectly claim that Siakam should have been whistled for an illegal screen on the play.
NBA coaches are subject to fines if they publicly criticize referees. In this case, Mazzulla may have reduced his risk of being punished.
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at TD Garden on March 14, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports)
Mazzulla and the Celtics agreed to a three-year contract extension in August 2025. He previously coached Boston to the 2024 NBA title.
The Celtics finished with at least 57 games in each of Mazzulla’s first three seasons at the helm.
Derrick White (9) of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball while being guarded by Pascal Siakam (43) of the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on January 12, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
The Celtics return to action Thursday, traveling to South Florida for a matchup with the Miami Heat.
