Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla got a bit more involved in Thursday night’s game than coaches typically do.
Late in the fourth quarter of the Celtics’ clash against the Phoenix Suns, following a Jaylen Brown steal and slam, Mazzulla could be seen attempting to block a three-point attempt from Royce O’Neale after the Suns had called timeout.
After the whistle was blown, O’Neal attempted to get an open look at the basket from beyond the arc, but, unbeknownst to him, he was contested by Boston’s coach.
Mazzulla hilariously stuck his arm up and attempted to block O’Neale’s shot. After the game, he offered the perfect explanation for his bizarre antics.
“I saw a guy going in to try and get a shot, and he hadn’t made one, and I didn’t want him to feel good about himself going to the bench,” said Mazzulla. “That’s the bench rule. Guys don’t shoot shots in front our bench to go back to their bench to feel good about themselves. If I’m gonna ask the guys to contest, the staff’s gotta do the same.”
Joe Mazzulla on his contest:
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzellNBA) March 15, 2024
“If I’m going to ask guys to contest, staff’s going to do the same.” https://t.co/CQKxrzuBp8 pic.twitter.com/Gr6KeNtc69
The Celtics were leading by 18 with just three minutes left when Mazzulla attempted to contest O’Neale’s three-pointer, which the coach described as “gamesmanship.”
Boston would go on to win 127–112. O’Neale did not score a point after shooting 0-for-7 from the field, including 0-for-5 from three-point range.
