Joe Mazzulla Wished Refs Profane Season's Greetings After Celtics' Loss vs. Bulls

Boston's coach had to be held back by assistants after the Celtics' loss to Chicago.

Joe Mazzulla reacts to a technical foul call in a loss to the Bulls. / David Butler II-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bulls beat the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on Thursday night, 117-108. The Celtics trailed by three points with just over five minutes remaining when Boston coach Joe Mazzulla was hit with a technical foul. Mazzula did not agree with the call and had to be held back.

And then Jaylen Brown was hit with a technical foul.

And then Jayson Tatum was hit with one two minutes later.

Boston never recovered, and the Celtics dropped their sixth game of the season. As the final buzzer sounded, Mazzulla had some choice words for the officials—specifically Justin Van Duyne who gave the coach the initial tech.

David Butler II-Imagn Images

Here's Mazzulla yelling at the officials after the game.

https://t.co/OBxmUYFUqY pic.twitter.com/YYBCcSmzUJ

— Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) December 20, 2024

And here it is from another angle.

Mazzulla went after the refs after the buzzer pic.twitter.com/N1kyKrkTHh

— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) December 20, 2024

In his postgame press conference, Mazzulla was asked what message he had been trying to deliver as his assistants pushed him towards the locker room. Mazzulla, with a straight face, said it was holiday related.

Joe Mazzulla on what he said to the refs at the end of the game

“I just haven’t seen them in a while, so just a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday” pic.twitter.com/VgQZRgflX1

— Ian Inangelo (@iinangelo) December 20, 2024

"I just hadn't seen him in a while," said Mazzulla. "So, just a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday. I wasn't sure I was going to see them before the holiday and I just can't let a moment go by where you don't wish the best to them and theirs and their families."

Happy holidays indeed.

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