Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla repeatedly issues two-word response after narrow loss to Pacers

Even without prima defender Jayson Tatum, who continues to retrieve from past year’s Achilles injury, the Boston Celtics entered Tuesday 3rd spot successful the Eastern Conference standings.

But Boston dropped its 2nd consecutive crippled Monday, losing 98-96 to the Indiana Pacers. Celtics caput manager Joe Mazzulla sat for his regular postgame property and efficaciously unopen down astir each question from reporters.

When asked astir the game’s last possessions, Mazzulla replied, "Illegal screen." Mazzulla past repeated the two-word effect to each consequent question.

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Boston Celtics caput manager Joe Mazzulla reacts during the archetypal fractional against the Milwaukee Bucks astatine TD Garden connected Oct. 28, 2024 successful Boston, Massachusetts. (Paul Rutherford/Imagn Images)

Mazzulla appeared to beryllium referencing the infinitesimal erstwhile Pacers guardant Pascal Siakam scored the go-ahead handbasket implicit Celtics defender Derrick White.

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The Celtics manager appeared to beryllium indirectly asserting that Siakam should person been whistled for an amerciable surface connected the play.

NBA coaches are taxable to fines if they publically knock referees. In this instance, Mazzulla whitethorn person reduced his hazard of being penalized.

Boston Celtics caput manager Joe Mazzulla during the archetypal fractional against the Phoenix Suns astatine TD Garden connected March 14, 2024 successful Boston, Massachusetts. (Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports)

Mazzulla and the Celtics agreed to a three-year declaration hold successful August 2025. He antecedently coached Boston to the 2024 NBA title.

The Celtics finished with astatine slightest 57 games successful each of Mazzulla's archetypal 3 seasons astatine the helm.

Derrick White (9) of the Boston Celtics dribbles the shot portion being guarded by Pascal Siakam (43) of the Indiana Pacers successful the 2nd 4th astatine Gainbridge Fieldhouse connected Jan. 12, 2026 successful Indianapolis, Indiana.   (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

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The Celtics instrumentality to enactment Thursday, traveling to South Florida for a matchup with the Miami Heat.

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