Celtics Coach Mazzulla Deflects Praise, Credits Players for Team's Success

Mazzulla says the credit belongs to his players, not his coaching, despite Giannis Antetokounmpo's recent compliments.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 1:10am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the energy and movement of a basketball game, with sharp geometric shapes in vibrant colors representing the players and action on the court.Mazzulla's humble leadership style and emphasis on his players' contributions have been key factors in the Celtics' unexpected success this season.Boston Today

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has downplayed the praise he's received for his team's success this season, instead crediting his players for the Celtics' strong performance despite significant roster changes and injuries. Mazzulla's comments came in response to recent comments from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who praised Mazzulla's coaching approach. However, Mazzulla insisted the credit belongs to his players, who have stepped up and embraced a winning mentality.

Why it matters

Mazzulla's humble approach and emphasis on his players' contributions rather than his own coaching highlights a leadership style that has helped the Celtics exceed expectations this season. His ability to get the most out of his roster, even with key injuries, has drawn league-wide attention and praise, underscoring the importance of player development and team chemistry in the NBA.

The details

Despite losing several key players in the offseason, the Celtics have continued their winning ways under Mazzulla's guidance. The coach said the team's success started by focusing on the 'knowns' - players like Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard who have stepped up and won games for the team. Mazzulla also praised Jayson Tatum's dedication to his recovery from a torn Achilles, crediting the star player and the team's training staff for his return to an elite level of play.

  • Mazzulla's comments came in response to recent praise from Giannis Antetokounmpo.
  • The Celtics have four games left in the regular season and currently hold a three-game lead over the Knicks for the second seed in the Eastern Conference.

The players

Joe Mazzulla

The head coach of the Boston Celtics, who has led the team to success this season despite significant roster changes and injuries.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

The star player for the Milwaukee Bucks, who recently praised Mazzulla's coaching approach as an example of what he wants in a team's culture and mentality.

Jaylen Brown

A key player for the Celtics who has thrived in leadership and winning situations, according to Mazzulla.

Jayson Tatum

The Celtics' star player who has returned from a torn Achilles injury and is now playing at an elite level, thanks to his dedication and the work of the team's training staff.

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What they’re saying

“I think the greatest gift you can have as a coach, especially in the NBA, is to have a group of players that have a high competitive character, care about winning and want to get better. I think it starts there.”

— Joe Mazzulla, Head Coach, Boston Celtics

“Like, you saw I talked with coach Joe Mazzulla. I said, 'You had so many opportunities to make excuses, but you didn't.' And he said, 'Oh, they're good players.' I said, no. It's about the mentality that you instilled in your place.”

— Giannis Antetokounmpo

What’s next

With four games left in the regular season, the Celtics will look to secure the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and continue their strong play as they prepare for the postseason.

The takeaway

Mazzulla's humble leadership style and emphasis on his players' contributions have been key factors in the Celtics' success this season, highlighting the importance of fostering a winning culture and mindset within an NBA team, even in the face of significant roster changes and adversity.