Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla has never been shy about his love of fighting in the NBA—not in a hacky, aesthetic sense, but in a genuine-if-odd-appreciation-for-fighting-as-an-art-form sense.
On Saturday, then, Mazzulla was able to react accordingly when the Celtics and Atlanta Hawks got into a scuffle during the Hawks' 119–115 overtime win.
With 3:46 left in the extra session, a tie-up between Atlanta center Onyeka Okongwu and Boston forward Jayson Tatum ended in a jump ball. Okongwu and Tatum wrestled well through the whistle, and as referees seperated the two teams, Mazzulla began clapping profusely.
Hilariously, Mazzulla walked all the way out to the scrum and continued to applaud right in front of Hawks guard Trae Young.
Can't get over how excited Joe Mazzulla got over this scuffle. He must've clapped 300 times lmao pic.twitter.com/UdGSwoMRKk
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) January 19, 2025
Tensions are flaring here, with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum both getting into it with the Hawks
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) January 19, 2025
Whole time Joe Mazzulla clapping proudly in the background lmaoooo pic.twitter.com/Wowh7nEytJ
After the game, the coach praised his team's "spirit" in defeat.
Joe Mazzulla on the tussle:
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) January 19, 2025
“You need to show a level of spirit, and we did that. That was great. You got to feed off that. It’s a representation of the Celtics and the mindset that we're trying to have.” https://t.co/UK33BJB31v pic.twitter.com/g9dLmeX7YA
Despite some recent regression, the Celtics remain in second place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 29-13—six games behind the first-place Cleveland Cavaliers.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Joe Mazzulla Enthusiastically Applauds Scuffle During Celtics' Overtime Loss to Hawks.
