Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla’s ‘Merry Christmas’ message to referees comes at a steep value

Final Thursday, the Boston Celtics suffered their hardest lack of the season, falling 117-108 to the Chicago Bulls at TD Backyard. The sport was marred by controversial officiating that left Boston pissed off. Joe Mazzulla, visibly upset, argued with officers late within the sport and later joked that his remarks have been nothing greater than vacation greetings. Nonetheless, the NBA took a harsher view of his conduct.

“Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has been fined $35,000 for aggressively pursuing and directing inappropriate language towards a sport official,” the league mentioned in an announcement launched Saturday through X (previously Twitter). ”It was introduced at present by Joe Dumars, Government Vice President and head of Basketball Operations. The incident occurred after the Celtics’ 117-108 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Dec. 19 at TD Backyard.”

The heated change passed off in the course of the remaining quarter of the sport. The Celtics had closed the hole to inside one possession with over seven minutes remaining when Mazzulla obtained into an argument with official Justin Van Duyne, leading to a technical foul. Moments later, Jaylen Brown’s protest earned him one other technical foul, permitting the Bulls to increase their lead and safe the victory.

After the sport, a visibly indignant Mazzulla needed to be escorted off the court docket by his assistants. Nonetheless, in the course of the post-game press convention, when requested about his change with the officers, he provided an sudden response. “I wasn’t positive I used to be going to see them earlier than the vacation,” he joked. “So only a Merry Christmas, a cheerful vacation.”

Whereas the comment might have been an try to defuse rigidity, the NBA was not amused. The $35,000 fantastic serves as a reminder of the league’s strict stance on professionalism towards officers.

Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics is greeted by head coach Joe Mazzulla as he heads to the bench at Madison Sq. Backyard on October 25, 2023 in New York Metropolis.

Jaylen Brown defends Mazzulla

Jaylen Brown got here to Mazzulla’s protection in a current press convention, criticizing the officiating in the course of the sport. “Joe didn’t say something to deserve a tech,” Brown acknowledged, suggesting that the technical fouls have been unwarranted.

Brown additionally recounted his personal change with the officers, accusing them of overreacting. “I come and shake all of the refs’ arms as a result of I communicate for my workforce. I’m allowed to speak. So once I inform (the referee) ‘You referred to as a tech for no purpose,’ and also you say, ‘When you say it once more, I’m calling one other tech,’ then I say it once more, and also you name a tech, you simply threatened your whistle as a menace. That’s not part of the sport both, and it’s (expletive).”

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Celtics search for redemption

The Celtics gained’t have to attend lengthy for a rematch. Simply 48 hours after the controversial loss, they’ll face the Bulls once more on Saturday evening, this time on the United Heart in Chicago. Boston will look to bounce again from Thursday’s irritating defeat and proceed their robust begin to the season.