Joe Mazzulla has significantly improved as a coach this season, leading the Boston Celtics to success despite injuries to key players like Jayson Tatum. His ability to adapt and win with a largely unproven roster has strengthened his case for an NBA coaching award.
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla
Joe Mazzulla Makes Powerful Case For NBA Award With Astonishing Masterpiece originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Joe Mazzulla was already one of the NBA's top coaches before this season, but he's taken his game to another level this year.
Despite losing his best player, Jayson Tatum, for most of the season due to injury, along with several other stars during the offseason, Mazzulla didn't skip a beat. He immediately transformed his new, largely unproven roster into one of the best teams in the sport, finding ways to win against deeper and more experienced opponents on a nightly basis.
Mazzulla proved he can win with anyone, especially during the Boston Celtics' regular-season finale at TD Garden on Sunday.
After clinching the two seed in the Eastern Conference on Friday, the Celtics had nothing to play for and rested their starters. Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic were fully healthy and had a playoff berth at stake.
Mazzulla's active roster for Sunday's game had the lowest total salary of any active roster in the NBA this year at just $11.5 million. By comparison, the Magic's roster had a total salary of $173 million -- a whopping $161.5 million more than Boston's.
It didn't matter. Mazzulla coached circles around Jamahl Mosley, leading the Celtics to a shocking 113-108 win with his bench players despite being massive underdogs.
Despite having an incredibly limited and shorthanded roster, Mazzulla still found a way to win and get the most out of his players. In a season full of tremendous performances, it was probably his best and most impressive.
NBA Coach of the Year will likely come down to Mazzulla and J.B. Bickerstaff, but Mazzulla has a phenomenal case. One could argue that no coach has done more with less this year, somehow turning his flawed roster into a relentless juggernaut.
Mazzulla may not win the award, but Sunday's masterful performance proved why he deserves it.
More NBA:Â Is Magic Coach On Hot Seat After 'Catastrophic' Loss To Celtics?
Joe Mazzulla has effectively transformed a largely unproven roster into a competitive team, finding strategies to win against more experienced opponents despite Tatum's absence.
Joe Mazzulla has elevated the Celtics' performance, maintaining their status as one of the best teams in the NBA despite significant player injuries.
Yes, Joe Mazzulla is considered a strong candidate for the NBA Coach of the Year award due to his impressive coaching performance this season.
LIV Golf's future appears uncertain as reports suggest Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund may withdraw funding after investing $5 billion. Despite assurances for the 2026 season, the tour faces challenges from low ratings and strong competition from the PGA Tour.
Mike Trout's 446-foot HR joins him with Aaron Judge in Yankee Stadium lore.
Detroit Tigers projected to take a risk on a 6'3" prep bat in the MLB draft.
Arshdeep Singh makes history as the first PBKS bowler to reach 100 IPL wickets!
California's top high school football prospects are on the move this weekend.
Viktor Hovland shines with a 64 at RBC Heritage, Gotterup scores 70.
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.