• Grizzlies To Sign Charles Bassey
• Bennedict Mathurin Out With Toe Sprain
• Luka Doncic Out Multiple Games With Finger, Leg Injuries
• Heat Didn’t Know About Terry Rozier Investigation When Trade Took Place
• 2025 NBA G League Draft Results
• Latest On Lakers’ Sale
• Pelicans Sign DeAndre Jordan To One-Year Deal
• Latest On Arrests Of Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier

Celtics Notes: Mazzulla, Pritchard, Queta, Luis

Joe Mazzulla has the security of anew contract extension, but he’ll be facing the toughest coaching job of his career when the upcoming season tips off, writesChristopher L. Gasper of The Boston Globe.

Since taking over as head coach shortly before the start of the 2022/23 season, Mazzulla has been able to rely on one of the most talented rosters in the league. That’s changed due to an Achilles injury that might sidelineJayson Tatum for the entire season, along with cost-cutting trades that sent outJrue Holiday andKristaps Porzingis and the loss ofLuke Kornet and probablyAl Horford in free agency.

The current version of the Celtics isn’t nearly as well equipped for Mazzulla’s preferred approach to the game, which includes a heavy reliance on three-point shots. Gasper states that Mazzulla will have to be flexible and show a willingness to adapt the offense to get the most out of his players.

Former Celtics player and longtime radio analyst Cedric Maxwell tellsGary Washburn of The Boston Globe that Mazzulla’s natural competitiveness will be an asset for the depleted roster.

“Here’s the beauty about all that,” Maxwell said.“Joe Mazzulla’s not going to let them take a step back. Joe Mazzulla is going to use that as fuel to have these guys compete on a nightly basis. We’ve seen teams in the NBA, perhaps not as talented as other teams but at the end, because they played hard every single night, you get your opportunities to win.”

There’s more from Boston:

• Jaylen Brown andDerrick White are the only certain starters heading into training camp, butBrian Robb of MassLive believesPayton Pritchard should be in that category as well. Robb states in a mailbag column that Pritchard is most likely to join White as a backcourt starter becauseAnfernee Simons doesn’t appear to be in the team’s long-term plans. The frontcourt may be more flexible, Robb suggests, withSam Hauser andNeemias Queta starting most of the time, butChris Boucher being used when Mazzulla wants a double-big starting lineup.
• Queta suffered a minor injury to his right hip area during an exhibition game this week in preparation for EuroBasket, relaysSouichi Terada of MassLive. Queta is reportedly fine and will be ready to represent Portugal when the tournament begins.
• RJ Luis got two-way offers from the Celtics andJazz in June before deciding to sign with Utah, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line said in a recent Bleacher Report livestream (YouTube link; hat tip toRobb). Boston landed Luis as part of atrade involvingGeorges Niang and draft picks earlier this month. Luis wasn’t able to play for Utah’s Summer League team due to a leg injury.

• Categories:
• Boston Celtics
• Utah Jazz
• Anfernee Simons
• Chris Boucher
• Derrick White
• Jaylen Brown
• Joe Mazzulla
• Neemias Queta
• Payton Pritchard
• RJ Luis
• Sam Hauser

5 thoughts on “Celtics Notes: Mazzulla, Pritchard, Queta, Luis”

1. Luke 207•2 months ago

   Start Tillman at PF

   1

   Reply
   • BeachGuy 2•2 months ago

     Yes, this year Xavier Tillman needs and should get a real chance.

     1

     Reply
2. letitbelowenstein•2 months ago

   This will not be a good team.

   Reply
3. BeachGuy 2•2 months ago

   RJ Luis may prove an extra interesting follow. For us diehard Celtics fans. He chose Utah over Boston although he played college in the East and near the Celtics. On the other hand Brad Stevens and his Celtics staff must have watched RJ play a lot and were impressed enough to get him in a trade. Another youngster I hope makes it.

   1

   Reply
4. mafiabass•2 months ago

   I’m hoping Jalen Bridges gets a shot. He’s from my hometown, which is also where Mazzulla was coaching before being the Red Claws head coach

   1

   Reply