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Celtics Announce Move on Coach Joe Mazzulla Amid Roster Upheaval

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated Aug 8, 2025 12:48 PM ET

For the Celtics, the past few months have been fairly depressing, though predictable. The team has used this offseason not as a way to vault back into championship contention in 2025-26, but rather to undo the title team it put forth in 2024. The NBA's luxury tax, and its dreaded second apron, forced the team to dramatically reduce its payroll, and to do so fast.

Gone are key contributors to the Boston trophy run, like point guard Jrue Holiday, center Kristaps Porzingis and center Luke Kornet. Beloved veteran Al Horford is likely soon to be gone, and though he is still a member of the Celtics, superstar Jayson Tatum is out for the 2025-26 season with a torn Achilles tendon.

The Celtics had little choice on those moves. But they did have the ability to reward the guy who has been a stabilizing factor throughout, quirky head coach Joe Mazzulla.

Joe Mazzulla Helped Celtics Weather Udoka Storm

On Friday, with most of the Celtics' offseason (probably) settled and with just days to go before the team is officially sold, Boston announced that it had made a move on Mazzulla: He has had his contract extended.

In a rather matter-of-fact statement, the team wrote on Twitter/X: "We have signed Joe Mazzulla to a multi-year contract extension."

We have signed Joe Mazzulla to a multi-year contract extension ☘️ pic.twitter.com/V82bnnSXte
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 8, 2025

Mazzulla is 182-64, an impressive record for a coach who was thrust into the job seemingly ahead of his time, replacing Ime Udoka amid a murky scandal involving an inappropriate relationship in 2022.

Mazzulla was just 34 at the time, but still thrived. In fact, Mazzulla's .740 win percentage is the best in the league.

The Celtics did not release terms of the deal with Mazzulla, but he added, in a statement, “This is truly a blessing. I would not be here without my faith, my wife, and my children. We are thankful for the partnership with our ownership groups, Brad’s mentorship, and the support of our staff.

"Most importantly, I am grateful for the players I have been able to coach the past three seasons. I look forward to competing for the Celtics and the city of Boston.”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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