Mazzulla’s experiment couldn’t save the celtics: “It wasn’t enough”
Celtics out of the NBA Playoffs: after a dominant start to the series, Boston falls in Game 7. The words of Joe Mazzulla and Jaylen Brown describe a team with no regrets
The Boston Celtics’ playoff run ends in the first round. News that, just one week ago, seemed almost impossible to imagine. And yet, after taking a 3-1 series lead, the Celtics watched the Philadelphia 76ers complete a stunning comeback, winning 109-100 in Game 7 at TD Garden.
A bitter ending, especially considering Boston had never lost a playoff series after going up 3-1. The record stood at 32 wins and no losses. Until today.
Tatum’s absence changed everything
Making the night even harder for the Celtics was the last-minute absence of Jayson Tatum, sidelined by soreness in his left knee. A massive blow for Boston, forced to play without its leader in the biggest game of the season.
He arrived today feeling discomfort in his knee. Together with the medical staff, we decided he would not play
Joe Mazzulla
An unavoidable decision – but one that inevitably changed the shape of the game.
Mazzulla’s gamble
Without Tatum, Joe Mazzulla decided to surprise everyone with an unconventional starting lineup: Derrick White, Baylor Scheierman, Jaylen Brown, Ron Harper Jr., and Luka Garza.
A group never seen before, thrown directly into the most delicate game of the year.
A bold move, designed to shake up the series.
There were some tactical situations we wanted to try. We wanted to give the series a different look and maximize the strengths of the roster available. The guys responded well, even if it wasn’t enough
Joe Mazzulla
Mazzulla also acknowledged the weight of the series and especially Embiid’s return for Philadelphia:
What changed in this series is that Joel Embiid came back, and they are a completely different team
Joe Mazzulla
No regrets inside the Celtics locker room
Despite the elimination, the message coming from Boston was clear: no remorse, only the awareness that they fought until the end.
I have no regrets. Obviously we would’ve liked to close the series earlier, but Philadelphia is a great team and improved a lot from the regular season. It’s the playoffs. We knew it would be a battle. There’s nothing to hang our heads about. No regrets
Jaylen Brown
A painful loss that doesn’t change the bigger picture
This first-round exit marks only the second immediate playoff elimination for Boston in the last ten years. An unexpected result for a franchise accustomed to deep postseason runs.
Still, the Celtics have every reason to look ahead with confidence. Tatum’s full recovery after his long return process and any offseason tweaks could put Boston right back among the top title contenders.
The disappointment is inevitable, especially after having the series in hand. But this remains a deep, talented team with a core still in the heart of its prime.
Boston will start again from here
The Celtics’ season ends with a bitter taste – there’s no doubt about that. But not with the feeling of a project at the end of the road. Rather, with the sense of a group that still has everything needed to compete again at the highest level.
Philadelphia celebrates the upset. Boston licks its wounds. But knowing the Celtics, it will only be a pause before they return once again as one of next season’s main contenders.