School lessons can be hard. Sometimes, you don’t always see the point right away.
The same applies to Celtic University.
… Celtic University?
“There has been a lot of education. Me and Joe call it Celtic University,” Jaylen Brown said. “It’s like being in school, and we’re going through breaking down the footage and trying to really expand our knowledge for the game.”
It’s all part of the mindset.
“Be the smarter-playing team. We’ve been saying it from the beginning,” Brown added. “We look at how to approach each and every game from a strategy and tactic standpoint.”
That approach has defined the Celtics’ 18–11 start. Each game demands something new. The latest was bold, another sharp lesson from Professor Joe Mazzulla, and it paved the way for Boston’s largest halftime comeback since December 28, 2023, even if the path was not immediately clear.
After giving up three offensive rebounds in the first 2:37 of the third quarter, which ballooned Indiana’s lead to 20 points, Mazzulla furiously called a timeout and benched his starters — Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Neemias Queta. The only player to remain on the floor was Hugo Gonzalez, who had replaced Josh Minott in the starting lineup at halftime. Anfernee Simons, Baylor Scheierman, Sam Hauser, and Luka Garza replaced the usual starters.
“To be honest, I was pissed,” Brown said. “I was ready to play, so I didn’t know – They felt like we were mailing it in. It was only three minutes in [to the second half], but we trust our coaching staff. So, it was the right decision.”
The tactic paid off right away. The second unit responded with a 10-2 run, forcing a timeout from Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. The run kept rolling, extending to 19-5 and prompting another timeout, and the 20-point deficit quickly shrank to six. Momentum had swung decisively to Boston, fueled by massive contributions from the second unit.
When the starters checked back in with 1:15 remaining in the third quarter, the deficit was down to 10 points. Brown immediately made his presence felt, scoring four points, grabbing a steal, and blocking a shot. He carried that momentum into the fourth quarter, adding 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting (55.6%), five rebounds, and another block. In the final frame, Brown outscored the Pacers 14-13 on his own.
“I wouldn’t say [the benching] is ideal,” Brown said. “I just wanted to win. I didn’t want to lose tonight. So, when I came back in, I was like, just shot out of a cannon. Our guys deserve all the credit tonight. Hugo, Luka Garza, Sam Hauser, Anfernee, that group helped catapult us to get this win tonight. So, I saw them, and I kind of fed off their energy too, and carried it over.”
All told, the Celtics outscored the Pacers 54-26 after Mazzulla pulled the starters. They outrebounded Indiana 28-11, forced seven turnovers, and held them to 10-of-37 (27.0%) shooting from the field and 1-of-16 (6.3%) from three over that stretch.
“There is a reason why we won the game,” said Brown. “It was a great call by Joe.”
“Depth” has been a buzzword for the Celtics, one that Mazzulla referenced after the game.
“I mean, we always talk about depth. We always have 12-13 guys who can help us win games in any given moment,” he said. “So I just thought it was a good opportunity to utilize the depth that we have. And you saw a game where depth comes in many different ways, and that’s it. At any point in time, everybody on our bench can impact winning. And so it was just a great opportunity to take advantage of the depth that we have. And I thought those guys did a great job just kind of changing the pace of the game.”
Mazzulla has stressed that the depth of this team is one of its biggest strengths. It’s shown up in many different ways throughout the season, but Monday night was by far the most striking.
It’s one thing to have a quick hook with your young wings fighting to establish themselves in the league; it’s another to do the same with your veteran, championship-winning starters.
Yet, it was another masterfully pressed button from Mazzulla, who has an instinctive feel for this team.
“They have an understanding that we can impact games in different ways,” Mazzulla said. “I think it’s just more about like, this is what the game needs at this particular time. Let’s have an understanding that these guys are — let’s get it back a little bit, keep it close, and then it’s their responsibility when they come back to win. Today is an example of, like, a team. You’re not always going to be at your best. Guys come in, they keep it close to chip away, you come back in, you guys do your job, and everybody is responsible for winning. So I think it’s more of just kind of the guys that’s a credit to them, of having an understanding that anybody can impact winning at any time.”
Some predicted the Celtics would land a lottery pick to start the season. To avoid that fate, they had to maximize the talent of a retooled roster full of players fighting to secure their spots in the NBA. They’ve done exactly that, now on pace for 51 wins, and in the process, Mazzulla has silenced plenty of doubters.
Plenty of questions loomed over whether Mazzulla could lead a lesser roster to results beyond expectations, and he has done exactly that, building a strong case for Coach of the Year consideration.
Monday night also marked Mazzulla’s 200th regular-season win, reached in just 275 games, making him the third-fastest coach in NBA history, behind only Steve Kerr and Phil Jackson. Fittingly, it was a game that reminded everyone this coach didn’t stumble into success. He helped build it.
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