Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla reacts to Malcolm Brogdon’s unexpected retirement

BOSTON — Boston Celtics skipper Joe Mazzulla did not have the luxury of a normal start to his head coaching career. After former Celtics head coach Ime Udoka was dismissed from his post due to his involvement in an improper relationship just days before the start of training camp, Mazzulla was asked to step up as the interim head coach. Naturally, it took him some time to adjust to the new role during the 2022-23 season, but he wasn’t alone in his venture into unfamiliar territory.

Veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon — who had never truly played for a major market team before — was dealt to the Celtics in July of 2022. Although the Atlanta native was used to the postseason, being in Boston is notably different from Indiana and Milwaukee.

Brogdon wasn’t fazed by the new digs or the bigger stage, as he went on to become the 2023 Sixth Man of the Year with the Celtics. Alongside Mazzulla, he learned more and more about what it means to be a Celtic. However, his time in Boston was cut short due to nagging injuries and the front office’s desire to shake things up after falling short in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals.

The C’s ultimately traded Brogdon in October of 2023, and his health issues persisted. The ex-Celtic played just 63 games over the course of two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers and Washington Wizards, respectively. The 2025-26 season could have been a potential turning point for him since he joined the New York Knicks, an expected championship contender in the wide-open Eastern Conference. Yet, Brogdon shocked the basketball world by announcing his retirement on Wednesday afternoon.

What did Joe Mazzulla say about Malcolm Brogdon’s retirement?

Ahead of the Celtics’ preseason finale against the Toronto Raptors, Mazzulla expressed his respect for his former player.

“Obviously, he was the Sixth Man of the Year — it was our first year together,” he recalled. “I appreciate the grace that he showed and the patience that he showed and the openness that he showed for, you know, coming to a place and then working with a first-time coach. And he did a lot for us, obviously, on the court, but he was really good off the floor with his family.”