The 2025–26 season had already tested Boston’s resilience. The squad had to play without its franchise cornerstone, Jayson Tatum, for most of the year. Still, the Celtics posted a 56-26 record and advanced to the playoffs.
But on Saturday night, those efforts came crashing down in a 109-100 Game 7 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Now, one shocking decision by head coach Joe Mazzulla has sparked a firestorm.
Joe Mazzulla’s Surprising Lineup Shuffled Before Game 7
When the starting lineup for Game 7 was revealed ahead of tip-off, the internet collectively did a double-take. Mazzulla had opted to start Baylor Scheierman, Ron Harper Jr., and Luka Garza.
All three players were making their first appearance as a starter in a playoff game.
Three Celtics players are making their first career playoff start in Game 7 against the 76ers:
– Baylor Scheierman
– Ron Harper Jr.
– Luka GarzaGiven how the starters have played in each of the last two games and Jayson Tatum being out, I can’t be mad at the drastic change.… pic.twitter.com/52ylvpLwVq
— Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaNFL) May 2, 2026
Fans were immediately skeptical, although many held out hope that the gamble could somehow pay off. It did not, and the questions quickly turned into demands.
Harper, Garza, and Scheierman combined for zero points on the night. It is understandable that first-time playoff starters face immense pressure, but failing to score a single point is disastrous.
One influencer even captured the absurdity, writing, “Joe Mazzulla really started RON HARPER AND LUKA GARZA in Game 7 of a playoff series.”
Meanwhile, another user posted, “Gonna be honest, Mazzulla may have been a COTY candidate & had a great reg season, but he may be on fraud watch. Nurse just coached circles around him. His offensive adjustments down the stretch of close games are awful – it’s just launch 3’s. it’s his only button.”
Gonna be honest, Mazzulla may have been a COTY candidate & had a great reg season, but he may be on fraud watch. Nurse just coached circles around him. His offensive adjustments down the stretch of close games are awful – it’s just launch 3’s. it’s his only button.
— Ty (@balldontTy) May 3, 2026
Last season, the New York Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau, their fourth-winningest coach, after falling to the Indiana Pacers in the conference finals. That incident proved that NBA owners demand results in crunch time.
With Mazzulla’s Game 7 gamble having backfired spectacularly, the Celtics faithful are asking whether the coach could be staring down the same fate as Thibodeau.
“Make no mistake about it: this series will be totally worth it if Mazzulla gets axed. He’s a clear and present danger to the franchise. He’s that bad. I fear they’ll let him keep getting away with this,” sports broadcaster Matt McCarthy wrote.
Make no mistake about it: this series will be totally worth it if Mazzulla gets axed. He’s a clear and present danger to the franchise. He’s that bad.
I fear they’ll let him keep getting away with this.
— Matt McCarthy (@MattMcCarthy985) May 3, 2026
“That starting lineup is the most fireable offense Mazzulla has committed in his career imo,” another user claimed.
Nikola Vucevic, who was acquired from the Chicago Bulls before the February trade deadline, did not see the floor at all on Saturday night.
Fans questioned how players with no playoff starting experience were given the spotlight while a proven veteran remained sidelined.
“I understand Vuc’s limitations on D, but it’s not like Garza is the answer, nor does he make the offense better,” NBA analyst Brett Siegel wrote.
Having Luka Garza in for Neemias Queta in Game 7 with Nikola Vucevic on the bench is quite the decision for Boston.
I understand Vuc’s limitations on D, but it’s not like Garza is the answer, nor does he make the offense better.
Bold move Cotton, we’ll see if it pays off!
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) May 3, 2026
After watching the season slip away due to Mazzulla’s baffling Game 7 decisions, McCarthy did not hold back and suggested that the franchise should part ways with the head coach.
“If Mazzulla isn’t fired by midnight, we riot,” McCarthy wrote.
Mazzulla’s bold call will be debated all offseason, and the noise around his future is only going to get louder, because blowing a 3-1 lead is unlikely to be overlooked by the front office.
