The Boston Celtics opened their 2025 postseason with a gritty Game 1 win over the Orlando Magic, but one fiery moment from head coach Joe Mazzulla nearly stole the show. Late in the fourth quarter, Jayson Tatum went down hard after a dunk attempt and stayed on the floor clutching his wrist.
While the crowd held its breath, Mazzulla had no time for drama, barking out a defiant “Get up” at his injured star. The internet instantly caught fire.
Mazzulla Goes War Mode During Jayson Tatum Scare
With Boston up 89-73 and 8:28 left on the clock, Tatum drove baseline and rose up for a powerful jam. Magic forward Kentavious Caldwell-Pope came in for a contest, resulting in a nasty midair collision. Tatum landed awkwardly on his right side, stayed down for a moment, and grabbed at his wrist. Trainers moved in, but Mazzulla waved them off.
That’s when the cameras caught the head coach yelling, “Get up!”
NBA Twitter immediately went to work. Celtics insider Dan Greenberg posted the moment on X, captioning it, “Joe telling the trainer not to go out to Tatum and then immediately screaming ‘GET UP’ is why he’s the perfect man for this job.” Fans were loving every bit of the cold-blooded coach moment.
Joe telling the trainer not to go out to Tatum and then immediately screaming "GET UP" is why he's the perfect man for this job pic.twitter.com/GKi9hALfV4
— Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie)
Replies started flooding in. One user posted, “I had a feeling that’s what he said – Joe is a menace 😂.”
I had a feeling that’s what he said – joe is a menace 😂
— nessie_co (@nessastakes)
Another added, “Coach is in Playoff War mode!!! 💪,” highlighting the mindset the HC was showing.
Coach is in Playoff War mode!!! 💪
— Celtics Vibe (@CelticsVibe)
A third chimed in, acknowledging Tatum’s trick, “It was obvious Tatum was rolling about long enough for the refs to look at the flagrant lol.”
It was obvious Tatum was rolling about long enough for the refs to look at the flagrant lol.
— Ben (@BHibburd)
Even though Tatum looked shaken, he dusted himself off and stayed in the game, true to Mazzulla’s tough-love leadership style.
Celtics Secure Game 1, But All Eyes Still on Tatum
The flagrant foul call came after a quick video review, but Tatum missed both free throws, still visibly bothered by the fall. Despite that, the Celtics never let go of the lead. Boston showed a team effort with Derrick White dropping 30 points, Payton Pritchard adding 19 off the bench, and Jaylen Brown chipping in with 16 in his return from injury.
Tatum gutted it out the rest of the way. Finishing with 17 points. He proved once again why he’s Boston’s heartbeat. Even when his wrist bump that really looked haunting.
After the game, Mazzulla casually dismissed concerns, saying, “He’s good.” That’s it. No long explanation. Just vintage Mazzulla.
Meanwhile, Paolo Banchero dropped 36 for Orlando, but turnovers and a brutal third quarter doomed the Magic.
The Celtics will look to go up 2-0 in Game 2 at home on Wednesday. But as far as social media is concerned? Mazzulla’s sideline savagery already has Boston fans declaring him the true MVP of Game 1.