Prior to the Celtics’ 121–118 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, a child reporter from Sports Illustrated Kids was invited to participate in the pregame media session. The young journalist asked Joe Mazzulla:
“It’s Kid’s Day at the Garden… How do you balance pushing players to improve while keeping the game fun for them?”
Rather than offering a lighthearted or encouraging answer tailored to the occasion, Mazzulla responded with characteristic candor.
“Yeah, I struggle with that,” Mazzulla said. “I think everyone has a different definition of fun. You have to find one as a team. I think fun is a cop-out sometimes when things aren’t going well. Everyone likes to say just have fun, but what does that mean? That phrase can be a cop-out sometimes. Don’t use it as an excuse.”
“It’s Kid’s Day at the Garden… How do you balance pushing players to improve while keeping the game fun for them?”
Joe Mazzulla delivers a great answer to a great question! 💯 pic.twitter.com/N9JVdjrQz6
— NBA (@NBA) November 16, 2025
Mazzulla, who led the Celtics to an NBA championship in 2024 and is known for his intense focus on discipline and execution, has built a reputation for direct and sometimes unfiltered communication. His approach has earned respect from players and staff, but it occasionally clashes with lighter moments like Kids Day.
The exchange was not confrontational, and the young reporter appeared unfazed, nodding politely as Mazzulla finished his answer. Still, the contrast between the question’s tone and the coach’s response became a talking point.
