Mazzulla Doesn’t Look for Excuses After 27-Point Loss to Rockets: “It Happens”
The Celtics head coach refuses to make excuses after a rough home loss to Durant’s Houston Rockets
After three straight wins and the illusion of having finally found their rhythm, the Boston Celtics came crashing back down to earth with a 128-101 home defeat to the Houston Rockets at TD Garden – a night to forget. Joe Mazzulla’s squad never found its footing, overwhelmed by Houston’s energy and physicality for the full 48 minutes.
In his postgame remarks, Mazzulla didn’t hide behind excuses, offering a blunt assessment of the team’s performance:
It just wasn’t our night. They played well, they were ready. It happens over the course of a season. What matters is how we respond on Monday.
Joe Mazzulla
Turning the page quickly is now essential for the Celtics, who stumbled badly at home just days after their nail-biting win over the 76ers in the Emirates NBA Cup 2025 opener.
Boston’s game plan simply fell apart. White and Pritchard fought through physical issues, but the offense looked stagnant and the defense soft. Houston, on the other hand, executed perfectly – Kevin Durant led with 26 points, Amen Thompson flirted with a triple-double (17 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists), and the Rockets controlled the pace from start to finish.
For the Celtics, Baylor Scheierman led with 17 points, but there wasn’t much else to celebrate. The energy gap was clear, with Boston consistently a step behind on loose balls and defensive rotations.
The record now stands at 3–4, good for ninth in the East – a loss more damaging for morale than for the standings. Up next: Utah on Monday, then Washington and a short road trip to Orlando. A quick response will be needed to stay in the playoff chase.
The message is simple: shake it off and move forward. In the NBA, memory fades fast – and every game, especially in an Eastern Conference as open as this one, can make all the difference.