Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla entered the 2025-26 NBA season facing a defining test.
The team lost key contributors in the offseason. Superstar Jayson Tatum also missed the first 62 games after rupturing his Achilles in the 2025 playoffs. Few gave the Celtics a realistic shot at contending without their franchise cornerstone.
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With Mazzulla steering the ship, the Celtics now sit second in the Eastern Conference at 50-24. They have clinched a playoff berth and are 7-3 in their last 10 games with Tatum back in the lineup.
Mazzulla keeps collecting praise. Yet he does not seem to want it, leaving fans and pundits alike baffled.
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla.© David Butler II-Imagn Images
(© David Butler II-Imagn Images)
Mazzulla exhibited leadership, guidance and brilliance amid some of the toughest circumstances of his coaching career.
It comes as no surprise that he has emerged as a frontrunner for the 2025-26 NBA Coach of the Year award (COTY). The recognition is well-earned. It is also, apparently, unwanted.
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Mazzulla addressed the COTY buzz before Monday’s 112-102 road loss to the Atlanta Hawks, a defeat that snapped Boston’s three-game winning streak. The Celtics coach did not hold back.
Sporting News reporter Steph relayed his response on X.
“I think it’s a stupid award,” Mazzulla said. They shouldn’t have it. It’s more about the players. It’s more about the work that the staff puts in. It’s that simple, and I don’t ever want to be asked or talk about it again.”
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The remarks drew immediate backlash online.
“Biggest tryhard in the league,” one commenter wrote.
“Mazzulla is the PM who skips the award ceremony to help the team clear the next sprint’s backlog elite mindset,” a user added.
“Dude thinks he’s cool by being edgy and anti-establishment. In reality it’s tiresome and annoying. Just accept the praise,” another one said.
“Can he be normal for like two seconds?” a user asked.
“He’s a terrible coach and he knows he can’t win it,” another chimed in.
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“Bro a good coach but he try too hard to be weird,” said a reaction read.
The irony is hard to ignore. Mazzulla finished third in COY voting in 2022-23 and fourth the following season. The hardware has eluded him. Whether he likes it or not, that may be about to change.
Related: Celtics Announce Jaylen Brown Injury Update Before Hawks Game
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.