Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla addressed the media after Friday night’s preseason game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. A revamped Celtics roster lost the game 107-105, but some new players showcased glimpses of their inherent potential during the game.
While Boston prepares for the 2025-26 NBA season, it is looking at one of the most disappointing times, as it might have to play most of the season, if not all, without its superstar, Jayson Tatum. Tatum was also present during team practice sessions on the media day, which led to many asking Mazzulla for updates regarding his return timeline.
What Did Joe Mazzulla Say About Jayson Tatum?
While everyone at one of the Celtics’ training sessions saw their star forward bring down the hammer with a dunk, questions quickly arose about his return timeline. Mazzulla answered them, stating, “That stuff will take care of itself.”
He added, “The thing that’s important to me is he’s here with us constantly practices, at film sessions, at practice, and he’s getting better in that regard as well.”
Joe Mazzulla was asked about Jayson Tatum’s dunk and declined to weigh in on his recovery timeline.
“That stuff will take care of itself.”
“The thing that’s important to me is he’s here with us constantly practices, at film sessions, at practice, and he’s getting better in…
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) October 10, 2025
Tatum suffered a non-contact Achilles tendon rupture while diving to retrieve a loose ball during game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on May 12.
The 27-year-old had an immediate surgical procedure performed to repair it, which sidelined him for the remainder of the previous season and potentially for the upcoming one as well.
Mazzulla and the entire Celtics coaching staff are being careful with their superstar. They are in no hurry to bring him back as long as he continues to take his time and work on his recovery daily.
With Tatum out of the squad, the onus definitely falls on the team’s new recruits, some of the seasoned stars, and the bench to play their respective roles diligently throughout the season.
What Did Mazzulla Say About Training Camp Players Checking in in the Final Minutes?
As a response to his belief and expectations with the players on the bench working hard in the training camp and playing towards the end of a game or a quarter, Mazzulla said, “Whether it’s two minutes to go in the first quarter, second quarter, third quarter, fourth quarter — you’re teaching the mindset of — you have to be ready. You should be able to execute regardless.”
He added, “That’s what you get paid to do, what you’re already trying to do. So no sympathy there. First, second, third, fourth quarter doesn’t matter. Whoever sits on the bench has got be ready to play. If I put you in, it’s a level a trust that I have that I have in you that you can help us execute.”
On Sunday, the Celtics play their next preseason game at home in TD Garden against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
