Celtics' Joe Mazzulla Embraces 'Violence' in WWE Appearance with Derrick White

The Celtics coach had a hilarious reaction to his fake wrestling match with his player.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 2:12am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game or match, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape, conveying the energy and movement of the sport.Mazzulla's WWE appearance with Derrick White showcases the playful side of professional sports, where coaches and players can engage in good-natured antics.Boston Today

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla and guard Derrick White recently made a guest appearance at a WWE event, where Mazzulla fake-hit White for the cameras. In a podcast interview, Mazzulla embraced his 'love language of violence' and said he wished he could have taken the staged fight even further, joking that he almost flipped White over a table.

Why it matters

Mazzulla's lighthearted comments about his WWE appearance highlight the fun, playful side of professional sports, where coaches and players can step outside their usual roles and engage in some good-natured antics. This type of cross-promotional event also helps expand the reach of the NBA and bring in new fans.

The details

During the WWE event, Mazzulla and White participated in a staged wrestling segment, with Mazzulla fake-hitting his player. In a later podcast interview, Mazzulla said he had a great time doing it and that 'violence is his love language.' He even joked that he wished he could have taken the fight further, almost flipping White over a table. Mazzulla is a longtime wrestling fan and was excited to share the experience with his kids, who he brought to the event.

  • Mazzulla and White attended the WWE event on April 15, 2026.
  • Mazzulla appeared on the 'Pardon My Take' podcast shortly after the event to discuss his experience.

The players

Joe Mazzulla

The 37-year-old head coach of the Boston Celtics, who led the team to the NBA championship in 2024.

Derrick White

A guard for the Boston Celtics who participated in the WWE event alongside Mazzulla.

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What they’re saying

“To me, everyone has a different love language. My love language is violence.”

— Joe Mazzulla, Head Coach, Boston Celtics

“What I was doing to Derrick was the ultimate sign of love. I love it. If we could do that to each other more, I think we'd all be nicer.”

— Joe Mazzulla, Head Coach, Boston Celtics

What’s next

The Celtics are awaiting the winner of the Play-In Tournament game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Orlando Magic to determine their opponent in the first round of the playoffs.

The takeaway

Mazzulla's lighthearted and humorous comments about his WWE appearance with Derrick White showcase the fun, playful side of professional sports, where coaches and players can step outside their usual roles and engage in some good-natured antics. This type of cross-promotional event helps expand the reach of the NBA and bring in new fans.