Joe Mazzulla's Statement After Pelicans-Celtics Goes Viral

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla spoke after defeating the New Orleans Pelicans.

Jan 12, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla reacts during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at TD Garden. | Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

The Boston Celtics defeated the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night, but just barely. Escaping with a 120–119 victory at home, Boston narrowly took down the 8-31 Pelicans.

While the Celtics are still 28-11, which is good for second in the Eastern Conference and third in the entire NBA, the defending champions have underperformed in the eyes of many. Even the Celtics themselves feel they could be much better than their current record, which is something head coach Joe Mazzulla spoke about postgame.

"I would say the ultimate compliment is that we're 28-11 and these are the types of conversations that we're having,” Mazzulla said (h/t Jack Simone of Hardwood Houdini). “So, it's a beautiful place to be in. I'm serious. I think it's great. It's a great standard and a great expectation to have, and we have to deliver.”

Joe Mazzulla, after most of postgame centered around the Celtics’ struggles:

“The ultimate compliment is we’re 28-11, and these are the types of conversations we’re having.”

“We’re what, third in the league? Which isn’t great. But it sounds like a morgue in here.” pic.twitter.com/zGDPXXgdFg

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) January 13, 2025

Mazzulla added, "And so, we all know that. That's the process towards it. But when you're, what are we, the third team in the league right now? Which isn't great, but it sounds like a morgue in here. And that's how it should be because of where we're trying to get to. So, it's the ultimate compliment, and we just continue to work through it."

A win is a win, but the Celtics expected to handle New Orleans much better than they did on Sunday.

TWO THUNDERING SLAMS FROM TATUM!

The Celtics star comes up clutch with a pair of dunks in the final minutes 💪💪 pic.twitter.com/qRD0Add97H

— NBA (@NBA) January 13, 2025

As for the Pelicans, they are now 8-32 which is last in the Western Conference standings.

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