Joe Mazzulla, in his fourth season as head coach of the Boston Celtics, has solidified his reputation as one of the NBA’s brightest coaching minds after leading the team to a historic championship run in 2024. Known for his intensity and deep-rooted faith, Mazzulla recently made headlines with a surprising revelation about his future while also addressing his team’s performance in a season-opening loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
In a candid interview on the Godsplaining Catholic Podcast before the 2025-26 NBA season tipped off, Mazzulla shared a personal ambition that caught many by surprise. The 37-year-old coach expressed his desire to become a Catholic deacon, a role he has long aspired to pursue. “I just became eligible to be a deacon, which I’ve always wanted to do,” Mazzulla revealed. “I’ve been thinking about that.”
While Mazzulla emphasized his current commitment to the Celtics, he noted that his journey toward becoming a deacon would begin once his coaching contract concludes. This unexpected announcement has sparked widespread discussion, showcasing a side of Mazzulla that extends beyond the basketball court and into his spiritual life.
The Celtics opened their season with a narrow 117-116 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, a game that highlighted both the team’s potential and its early-season struggles. With star Jayson Tatum sidelined by injury and several key players from the 2024 championship roster no longer with the team, Boston leaned heavily on Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard. Despite their efforts, the Celtics squandered a fourth-quarter lead, allowing 42 points in the final frame.
The Sixers’ Tyrese Maxey and rookie V.J. Edgecombe combined for an explosive 74 points, overshadowing a relatively quiet performance from Joel Embiid. Mazzulla attributed the loss to a lack of early-season chemistry and lapses in execution. “If you give up 42 points in the fourth quarter, you probably give up a bit of everything,” he said postgame. “It’s the transition defense, the timely offensive rebounds, the execution. Just all of those things that go into winning.”
One of the game’s key moments came in the final seconds when Payton Pritchard attempted a game-winning shot instead of passing to Brown or White. The miss drew scrutiny, with some questioning Brown’s role in the clutch. Mazzulla, however, was quick to defend his star player, dismissing criticism of Brown’s performance as unwarranted. Brown finished the game with 25 points, six rebounds, and four assists while taking on the challenge of guarding Embiid early in the game.
“I thought he had his explosiveness, I thought he played well,” Mazzulla said. “He gave the game what was required. I think he’ll continue to get better, but I thought he played well-balanced basketball on both sides of the floor.” Mazzulla’s fiery defense of Brown underscored his confidence in the team’s new leading man, especially in the absence of Tatum.
Brown, for his part, acknowledged the disappointment of the loss but remained optimistic about the team’s potential. “It’s tough, definitely a winnable game for us,” he said. “We had some opportunities, even at the end, it didn’t go our way. I thought we played a winnable game, just some crucial errors that cost us.”
Brown also pointed to defensive lapses as a key factor in the defeat. “I don’t know if we were too focused on the offensive end, but we can’t just let guys come in here and do what they want,” he added. Despite the 0-1 start, Brown emphasized that the team, still adjusting to its new roster, is a work in progress.
With Tatum’s recovery ongoing and a challenging matchup against the New York Knicks on the horizon, the Celtics face early tests in their quest to remain title contenders. Mazzulla’s leadership, both on and off the court, will be critical as the team navigates these challenges. His bold vision for his future and unwavering support for his players signal that he remains focused on building a winning culture in Boston, even as he contemplates a higher calling.
For now, Mazzulla’s intensity and faith continue to define his tenure with the Celtics, leaving fans and analysts alike eager to see how his team—and his personal journey—will evolve.