Boston Celtics Head Coach and Outspoken Christian Joe Mazzulla Stuns Reporters During NBA Finals

Boston Celtics head coach and outspoken Christian Joe Mazzulla stunned reporters during a press conference prior to Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

The moment occurred after Yahoo Sports’ Vince Goodwill remarked that Mazzulla and Dallas Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd are the first two Black head coaches in the NBA finals since 1975.

“For the first time since 1975 this is the NBA finals where you have two Black head coaches,” Goodwill said. “Given the plight sometimes of Black head coaches in the NBA, do you think this is a significant moment? Do you take pride in this? How do you view this or do you not see it at all?”

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Without hesitation, Mazzulla answered, “I wonder how many of those have been Christian coaches.”

Mazzulla’s response left the entire room silent for nearly six seconds, until the next reporter was selected to ask a question.

After starting his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics in 2019, Mazzulla was named the team’s interim head coach in 2022 after Ime Udoka was suspended for the entire 2022-2023 NBA season.

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Mazzulla was named the Boston Celtics’ permanent head coach on Feb. 16, 2023, and coached the team to a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.

In the 2023-2024 season, Mazzulla coached the team to the NBA Finals. The Celtics currently have a 2-0 lead in a best of seven series with the Dallas Mavericks.

After the Boston Celtics swept the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, Mazzulla told ESPN’s Lisa Salters, “It’s just where God has us right now. We’re all exactly where we’re supposed to be, and right now everyone’s mindset is on helping each other and winning.”